Definitions and Available Literature

Abstract

This chapter provides definitions for the geographical regions covered in this book and briefly discusses academic approaches to explain security integration within specific regions. It also introduces the concept of regional security complexes in relation to the analysis of security integration in East and West Africa. The concept is a helpful tool to analyse maritime security integration which has taken place in both regions over the past decade, even though it is still a much lower priority for most governments than land-based security threats. Furthermore, this chapter juxtaposes two possible definitions of maritime security. While a negative definition is merely based on the absence of threats, the positive definition—which is used here—regards maritime security as a desirable end state which creates various opportunities, notably for economic development. Exact topics for such a ‘good order at sea’ then have to be defined by governments, for example, through codes of conduct which have been adopted in East and West Africa.