Background

Modern industrial societies are highly complex organizations which are characterized by an exceptionally high degree of international division of labor. However, its complexity and interdependence makes our society more vulnerable to external shocks, such as those that can result from natural catastrophes, terrorism, and human and technological failure.
These threats pose ever greater challenges to our public security institutions, while the competency gaps in these institutions and the vulnerability of our society continue to increase. The resources required to recognize, mitigate or eliminate these complex threats must be applied more effectively and efficiently.

These challenges are compounded by new threats arising from asymmetrical warfare outside of “traditional” conflicts. The Internet and other networked infrastructures have also made new forms of conflict and confrontation possible. This poses additional challenges to democracies, as they are based upon the rule of law and typically can only counter such attacks through conventional law enforcement measures. However, law enforcement agencies often lack the capability to deal appropriately with these threats.

Yet security, or at least the management of risk, is a precondition for prosperity and freedom. These threats are forcing democratic states, which are based upon the rule of law, to constantly adjust and reorient their security standards and measures so that they can ensure freedom and peace over the long term.
At the same time, it is necessary that society and the people must be informed about and sensitized to security issues. The fact that the Federal Republic of Germany enjoys relative economic and social stability, that it has not been involved in military conflicts for a rather long period, and, with the exception of the attacks from the Red Army Faction (RAF), has largely been spared from terrorist attacks, has led to the creation of a sort of “security society”. The need and demand for security against all types of dangers and risks has grown dramatically. The view that each individual can do much to ensure the resilience and security of the broader society has become less widespread. Compounding this problem, in parts of the population a discrepancy exists between actual and perceived risk.
An appropriate reaction to these developments requires a public debate about the strategies which should be employed to respond to them, a debate which is just beginning. Such a debate should also include the question of the extent to which new security strategies and measures impact or reduce the openness and liberal character of a society, and how damage to freedom and the rule of law can be avoided.
Natural catastrophes and terrorism do not just affect developed nations. To the contrary – developing and transitional countries are affected much more frequently by violence and catastrophe. The effects of these events upon these societies are more destructive and are further-reaching than in the developed countries – and yet, in our independent, networked world, they have an effect upon us as well.

The changing security situation has also given rise to a new market for security technologies and services, a market which is experiencing dramatic growth rates. This market is characterized by the intensive use of technology and the necessity of integrating many different products and services into an integrated system. In so doing, the institutional boundaries between public authorities and private enterprises must also be clearly defined and forms of cooperation developed which promote competition and technological developments, while reducing transaction costs and incompatibilities.
In Germany, the research and teaching landscape in the security field is very fragmented. Furthermore, a certainly reluctance to address this subject exists on the part of universities and the social sciences. The city of Potsdam is well suited as a location for an institute on civil security issues. As a state capital located near Berlin, Germany’s capital and largest metropolis, the city is especially representative of the federal nature of our country’s security structure. Potsdam is also the seat of the German military’s main command for foreign military operations, and is the future seat of the German federal police. Why not take advantage of these facts to further scientific dialogue?

The University of Potsdam offers great potential to address this need. Its Economics and Social Sciences Department is unique in Germany, in that it brings together macroeconomics and business management with sociology, political science and public administration. Thus, all it covers all of the social science disciplines which are necessary to address the different aspects of civil security issues. Especially in political science and public administration, such as in the special focus area of “Public Policy and Management”, we can build upon well-established research excellence and pragmatic teaching. This expertise is complemented by the scholars of the Law School’s Institute of Local Government Studies, which concerns itself with questions of security at the local level, among other topics.