CONTENT STATEMENT
16. Nations seek to ensure the security of their geographic territories, political institutions, economic systems and ways of life. Maintaining security has political, social, and economic costs.
CONTENT ELABORATION
National security is characterized by the activities nations engage in to ensure the security of their territories, political institutions, economies, and cultures.
Maintaining security has political, social, and economic costs for all citizens. Nations sometimes struggle to balance the need to ensure security with the costs associated with doing so.
Political costs may include civil unrest or removal from office. Social costs may include increases in censorship, profiling, and surveillance. Economic costs may include decreased government revenue, higher consumer prices, trade restrictions, and sanctions.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how and why nations protect their national security.
Evaluate the political, social, and economic costs of a national security issue.