Securitization

Abstract

The term securitization in international relations refers to the process by which states determine threats to national security based on subjective rather than objective assessments of perceived danger. Originally identified with the Copenhagen School and international relations scholars such as Ole Waever, Barry Buzan, Jaap de Wilde, and others, securitization occurs across five sectors: military, political, economic, societal, and environmental. According to securitization theory, states which perceive threats to national security will “securitize” those sectors by taking measures to enhance their security, often without public debate and democratic process. This chapter discusses securitization as originally developed by the Copenhagen School, the sectoral analysis as initially constructed, other variables which impact securitization, Regional Security Complex Theory, and finally how securitization theory provides explanatory value in international relations today.KeywordsSecuritizationSecurity sectorsCopenhagen schoolRegional security complex theory (RSCT)International relations theoryConstructivismRealismLiberalismIdentityInstitutionsInterests