Theoretical foundations of regional security in international relations - the overview

The aim of this article is to introduce the theoretical basis of regional security and the functioning of regional security institutions in the light of international relations. The article includes: consideration of definitional aspects of international security of a state and regional security, criteria of regional security, approaches to the issue of security in selected theories in international relations as well as threads dedicated to their origin, evolution and current forms of activity of regional security institutions. The conclusion of the article indicates that the sources of cooperation in the area of regional security can be perceived in two ways: firstly, as a result of the natural desire of states to cooperate with each other, striving for regional integration, and the expression of the identity and regional culture. Secondly, primarily in the effect of states' endeavors to obtain hegemony in the region, the desire to protect sources of security diversification, and finally the result of the belief that collective action can be more effective in countering threats and mitigating effects of the weakness of nation states in the anarchic international environment.