collective security
- noun
- /kəˈlɛktɪv sɪˈkjʊrɪti/
- Specialized
- Cost-benefit analyses must be conducted by states committed to collective security.
- collective security operations
- principle of collective security
- collective security system
Examples
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In times of crisis, nations often rely on collective security to maintain peace and deter potential threats.
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NATO embarked on its collective security vocation in accordance with a mandate from the Security Council.
Academic text (1993) -
The danger is that collective-security systems work best when they are not needed.
Academic text (1991) -
The validity of this point for collective security has been shown in recent Security Council decisions.
Academic text (1993) -
For once, the concept of collective security as envisioned in the U.N. Charter worked.
Academic text (1991) -
In the following discussion, the roles of several international organizations in collective security operations in Eurasia will be assessed.
Academic text (1993) -
The phrase "collective security" conjures up NATO and its importance for peace and prosperity across Europe.
Academic text (2011) -
The concept of collective security aims to ensure that member countries will defend each other against any aggression.
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The members of the alliance agreed that collective security is essential for stability in the region.
How Collective
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from 'collective' (shared by a group) + 'security' (safety): it denotes group-based or mutual protection. Although used in a political/IR context, the composition is regular and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the basic meaning.
Etymology
Collective security joins collective (a group) and security (safety); imagine countries standing side by side, promising 'to defend each other' if one is attacked. That's why it means nations acting together to keep peace and protect each other.