Page 159 - 《国际安全研究》2021年第2期

Vo1. 39, No. 2, March/April 2021

Abstract

3 Ideas, Institutions and Instruments
—An Analysis Framework of the US National Security System

SHI Bin
[Abstract] Different countries’ experiences in constructing the national security
system can provide reference for China’s efforts to construct its own national
security system under the guidance of the “overall security concept”. Although
national security systems share some basic elements, their evolutionary processes,
specific elements and practical functions may vary greatly due to the historical and
cultural differences, diversified internal and external environment as well as the
development needs of different countries. As a superpower, the United States boasts
the most comprehensive and colossal national security system which is consistent
with its specific needs. This unique system is mainly composed of three categories
of elements, namely guiding ideas, legal system and safeguard instruments. The
ultimate goal of its guiding ideas is to maintain global dominance and build absolute
security. Its decision-making mechanism not only follows a set of cross-departmental
and hierarchical processes, but also involves various informal decision-making
patterns. The legal system and regulatory mechanism are sound and well-established
as well. The safeguard instruments and means are featured by diversity and
effectiveness which includes unrivalled military capabilities and alliance networks,
superb economic strength and information gathering and processing systems as well
as a more extensive social foundation. However, as a “securitized state” that took
shape during the Cold War, tensions still persist between its security objectives and
the available means and resources. The maintenance and effective operation of the
unprecedentedly all-encompassing national security system tends to be subject to
internal and external conditions and is caught on the horns of a dilemma. Although
the United States enjoys notable “power advantage” in the international system, it
also faces an apparent contradiction between its development interests and security
interests.
[Keywords] the United States, national security system, guiding ideas, legal system,
safeguard instruments, national security studies
[Author] SHI Bin, Professor, Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American
Studies and School of Government, Nanjing University (Nanjing, 210093).

28 The US Nuclear War-fighting Deterrence Strategy: Theory, History
and Reality
JIANG Tianjiao
[Abstract] The international non-proliferation regime with the Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT) as its mainstay has been evolving for half a century. Now, it is facing

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