Concept Of Securitization Research Articles

Securitisation and its extensions: a framework for analysis of Russia’s war on Ukraine

ABSTRACT This analysis aims to address certain shortcomings found within securitisation theory and its practical usage. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine necessitates a profound transformation of the research vocabulary of security studies, as well as an expansion of its scholarly instruments. This article investigates the potential modifications and adjustments of the concept of securitisation, which due to its broad explanatory scope could be recalibrated to reflect the radically altered security landscape in Europe. In this context, three ancillary concepts are introduced as extensions to the original terminology of the Copenhagen School: primary self-securitisation, secondary securitisation and counter-securitisation. The analysis seeks to move beyond the theory’s traditional emphasis on speech acts, to more precisely define the interplay between securitisation and the agency, and to expand the role of the audience beyond merely affirming or disputing securitising moves.

Modeling the audience’s perception of security in media discourse

Combining the concepts of securitization with a discourse analytic approach, the study presents an attempt to investigate how the audience’s perception toward an unconventional security issue has been shaped in media context. As a case study, this paper delves into the portrayal of the Confucius Institute in the U.S. media discourse. By analyzing the coverage of the Confucius Institute in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal from 2004 to 2022, it aims to unpack the narratives and representations surrounding this institution. With a particular focus on how the use of language shapes the audience’s perception and subsequently influences their cognition in the context of the securitization of Confucius Institutes, a select sample of texts from the corpus was collected for coded qualitative analysis to allow for a deeper understanding of how the media constructs and disseminates information about the Confucius Institute. The findings turn out that American media actors deliver a bottom-up securitizing move by interacting with socio-political value positions on Confucius Institutes in the United States, grounding a cognitive construction of security threat into shaping public emotive perceptual experience with dialogically patterned linguistic configurations.

Securitization of the mining sector? The role of the armed forces in state interventions in Tanzania

The role of the military in the mining sector in sub-Saharan Africa has been primarily examined through the lens of securitization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. In many cases, the military have been part of state-led efforts to prevent informal mining. We apply a theoretical framework based on three elements (securitization of the mining sector, the nature of civil–military relations, and the nature of military involvement in the mining sector) to the case of Tanzania, and argue that the securitization concept has some salience in the Tanzania case, but that military involvement in mining can also be viewed as part of broader strategies of the state to promote industrialization, through state-owned enterprises, including military-owned companies. Recent military involvement in mining coincided with a government turn towards resource nationalism, and we conclude that military involvement is linked to discourses and practices of resource nationalism in Tanzania.

Moldova on the Brink: Safeguarding Against Russian Aggression

This article explores the key factors that could lead to a potential spillover of the conflict from Ukraine into Moldova. It also proposes strategies for Moldova to mitigate this risk and safeguard its stability against Russian aggression. By utilizing a mixed methods approach that combines qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and quantitative analysis of institutional indices, migration and demographic data, also defense budget figures, the article provides a comprehensive evaluation to address the research question. The theoretical framework is based on the cross-border conflict theory, specifically employing the concept of securitization to frame Moldova’s response to security challenges. While the article does not predict outcomes, it highlights Moldova’s options to mitigate vulnerabilities and collaboratively enhance stability. Prioritizing the strengthening of the national security framework and proactive diplomatic initiatives emerges as essential.

Further Analysis in Global Financial Crisis: The Panic of 1907 and 2008 Subprime Mortgage Crisis

Learning about the financial crisis and understanding its origin and internal causes could be helpful in better preparing and responding to the global financial crisis in the future. This paper briefly introduces the background of the Panic of 1907 and the 2008 financial crisis. The relationship between the crisis in 1907 and 2008 is mentioned and then the article mainly discusses the 2008 financial crisis and the causes of its occurrence. The 2008 financial crisis is also called the Subprime Mortgage Crisis which began in 2007 and is closely related to the concept of securitization. The financial crisis of 2008 brought a huge impact on the world economy. The conclusion would be drawn, and the main revelation would be discovered in this paper. This article wants to show that financial crises are closely related to each other. We can find similar cases from the previous crisis and bring them into the new crisis to find more perfect solutions. Experience of failure should be prevented in the future.

The Algerian Way: The Cycle of Securitization as a Response to COVID-19

Abstract In the MENA region, Algeria was one of the countries with the highest cases of COVID-19. However, like other transformative events in its recent history, the regime has resorted to a process of securitization that has allowed for the Algerian government to exploit the pandemic as a national security threat. This article drew on the concept of securitization to examine the Algerian response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The paper will commence with an analysis of Algeria’s securitization approaches to the Dark Decade and the Arab Spring. The paper will then argue that the Algerian process of securitization is a cyclic response utilized to reinforce the state’s legitimacy and secure the regime’s power. The paper will finally examine the implications of Algeria’s securitization approach to COVID-19 on the Hirak movement, the regime, and the public.

EXEMPLIFYING THE (DE)SECURITISATION OF ENERGY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

EXEMPLIFYING THE (DE)SECURITISATION OF ENERGY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION Pınar AKGÜL Abstract Growing energy resources demand an increase in the importance of new energy suppliers as well as routes. Alternative abundant energy suppliers and routes simultaneously increase the importance of the Black Sea Region (BSR). Inspired by the concept of securitisation, this article examines the nature of energy relationships among BSR countries. It is argued that accepting the fact that all countries in the region are prone to securitise energy supply or demand in their bilateral relations, the degree of securitisation differs from country to country. While Russia and a number of former-Soviet Union countries highly securitise energy, Turkey sees energy as a foreign policy tool, and tends to desecuritise energy in its relations with other countries. Securitization in this regard refers to conceptualising energy as a high political and security issue and potentially brings conflict or creates tension, whereas desecuritisation transforms security concerns into a commercial transaction. Moreover, criticising the conceptual aspect of the securitisation, this article examines the actions and practices of states referring to actual policies, such as energy projects (pipelines) in addition to speech acts. Keywords: energy, securitisation, the Black Sea region, energy projects Jel Codes: F50, F59, Q49

Introduction: Political Logics and Academic Rationalities of Securitisation and International Crises

This introductory note discusses how the concept of securitisation might be used as a tool for understanding the different logics driving and standing behind foreign policies of major international stakeholders in situations of crises, emergencies and exceptions. The editors look at how securitisation functions as a discursive instrument for reshaping actors’ subjectivities, and how it might be adjusted to the rapid changes in global politics triggered by Russia’s war against Ukraine. They argue that the discursive construction of insecurities is not politically neutral and is driven by certain logics, presumptions and imaginaries. Russia’s war against Ukraine is a particularly important focal point in this regard since it elucidates another crucial question: how do the parties involved in the war securitise and de-securitise – as well as exceptionalise and normalise – specific risks, dangers and threats, and what are the implications of these discursive strategies for international security?

‘Debris’ of Coups D’état: Electoral Democracy, Election Violence, Political Vigilantism, and Elections Securitizations in Africa

Recent warm reception to military takeovers and mongering for coups d’état by citizens in some African nations due primarily to the disillusionment that has accompanied the promise that democracy in a globalized world will lead to prosperity and improve standards of living coupled with the myriad of social, economic, security and political challenges have become of great concerns to scholars, social scientists, advocates, and observers of African democracy. Three decades since the publication of Huntington’s famous work, Democracy’s Third Wave and Prezeworski’s recent book “Crisis in Democracy”, political observers of Africa’s democratic transitions and consolidation are questioning whether recent successful coups and attempts since 2010 in countries such as Mali, Burkina, Faso, Niger, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Sudan amongst others raise serious questions about the future of African democracy. The numerous and successful military takeovers across the continent particularly in the West African sub-region raise a myriad of questions as to the direction of African democratic transition and consolidation. These causing many scholars, political analysts, academics, democratic advocates and experts on military takeovers/coup to begin to analyze whether recent happenings on the continent can be characterized as “debris” of coups d’état in the post-independence-democratic transitional era or a reversal of the Third Wave of democracy on the continent. Building upon earlier analytical work on military coups this paper explores the concept of securitization of elections through the recruitment and prioritized treatment of political vigilante groups into the regular and specialized security agencies) as long terms risks for “debris” of coup d’états by adopting elections as a “minimalist” or “electoralist” definition of democracy.

Retracted: Securitization Concept and Its Application to Environmental Problems in the Kurdistan Region: Prospects and Obstacles.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/8122568.].

The Securitization of Energy Issues from The Perspective of Security Studies

Security studies debated the phenomenon of "high politics," such as politics and the military, at the outset of their development. As the study's object, it discusses the arms race, nuclear war, and political coups. Following the end of the Cold War, the economic, social, and environmental sectors became subjects of study in security studies. Not only that, but security studies also address issues that are frequently overlooked, such as energy issues. This is undeniably one of the most pressing issues in security studies today. The energy issue discusses how the country's foreign policy efforts will be carried out in order to avoid the threat of domestic energy scarcity. The inclusion of energy issues in security studies does not happen overnight. Through this scientific article, the author intends to examine how energy issues can become part of security issues. The author employs the concept of securitization to examine the securitization of energy issues from the standpoint of a security study. The author used a qualitative method in this study, with secondary data collection (journals and archive documents) as part of the data collection technique. The discussion of this scientific article has resulted in the securitization of energy issues being divided into three stages. Non-securitization, politicization, and securitization are the stages. Energy issues are not considered security issues during the non-securitization stage. When the energy issue becomes politicized, it poses a real threat that the government must address. Meanwhile, security issues have defined threats in the securitization stage. However, this securitization process will only take place if the audience accepts the threat and the state takes responsibility for mitigation efforts. The author comes to the conclusion that the securitization of energy issues is mutual between the state and the audience (society).

Сек’юритизація історичної пам’яті під час російсько-української війни

The purpose of the research deals with the study of the historical politics of Ukraine during the war in the context of national security. Th e theoretical framework is based on the concept of securitization developed by the Copenhagen School (Barry Buzan, Ole Wæver) and the concept of Politics of Mnemonical Security (Maria Mälksoo). Th e research methodo- logy is based on the use of a transdisciplinary approach the principles of objectivity, historicism, systematicity, the use of methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization and systematization, comparative-historical, historical-typological and problematic-chronolo gical. Th e studies no- velty is that the article examines for the fi rst time the phenomenon of securitization of memory during the Russian-Ukrainian war against the background of the features of the landscape of memory in Eastern and Central Europe, analyzes the legislation, highlights the views of rep- resentatives of the Ukrainian authorities on the role of history in the war time. Conclusions. The securitization of historical memory in Ukraine began aft er Russia’s aggression in 2014 and serves as a means of ensuring the safety of the national historical narrative by delegitimizing or directly criminalizing Soviet and Russian narratives that are considered a threat to the state and society. Its main reason is the abuse of “historical arguments” by the Russian authorities, which include the denial of the existence of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian language, statements about Ukraine as a “failed state” and the Nazi state, the concepts of Russian world, Novorossiya, and the divided Russian people. Securitization is a forced and temporary wartime policy. In a democratic and pluralistic society, national memory cannot be formulated offi cially or regulated by bureaucracy. Aft er the war, historical memory must be desecuritized, deweapo- nized and returned to the realm of political participation and public debate.

СЕКЬЮРИТИЗАЦИЯ ПОЛИТИКИ ИДЕНТИЧНОСТИ КАК АНАЛИТИЧЕСКИЙ ИНСТРУМЕНТАРИЙ

The author proposes to introduce and use the concept of "identity politics securitization" as an analytical category, based on approaches to collective identities in the theory of international relations (the concept of securitization, ontological security, state identity in constructivism within the international relations theory) and on research tools in the field of identity studies (political identity, identity politics). The article characterizes the practices of securitization of the identity politics in the broad sense of the word, used in the international context, when the value pillars of state identity are established in confrontation with the Other/ Aliens. China, the USA and Russia are chosen as examples. The practices of securitization of identity politics are examined in relation to the protection of the identity of sexual minorities that are organized in the LGBTIQ+ community. Such identity politics has spread from the domestic political agenda to the international level by the efforts of Western countries. They are incorporated into policies and are used as a foreign policy tool.

Water Security in Egypt amid the Crisis around the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of water security in Egypt, associated with the implementation of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project. GERD raises serious concerns on the part of Egypt because of the possible reduction in the Nile River flow, which could lead to an economic and social crisis. In the context of the politicization of the water issue, the negotiation process to resolve it is complicated. Therefore it is important to find out whether it is possible to shift its perception from a threat to security to the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation. Giving GERD an "existential" meaning for Egypt led to the use of the concept of securitization, according to which threats are created and deconstructed solely through speech acts. In order to clarify the prospects for resolving the water dispute with Ethiopia, an analysis of both the political and expert discourse of Egypt in relation to GERD is made. The main result was to explain the phenomenon of water securitization in Egypt as a stable political technology for managing internal processes, in contrast to the traditional approach to securitization as a policy of decisive action. This technology is the regulation of public fears by using the "resource argument" in order to reduce internal instability. The possibility of softening Egypt's position in the negotiation process on GERD and reducing the severity of the perception of the water issue depends mainly on the improvement of the socio-economic situation in the country.

Securitization and Identity: The Speech Acts of Bashar al-Assad

Security is one of the crucial concepts in International Relations. Due to diversity of the security issues encountered by the states, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of the concept. The traditional understanding of the security focuses on threats militarily and state was at the center. However, different approaches emerged to re-conceptualize the concept by the end of the Cold War. The Copenhagen School and its offshoot securitization is one of these approaches which is being frequently used in International Relations. The aim of this study is to analyze the securitization process of opposition, different identities and other actors by President Bashar al-Assad during the Civil War. This research argues that the opposition is securitized with the help of different identities in order to convince both Syrians and regional and international actors so that the securitizing actor can take the extraordinary measures. This study conducts the methods of literature review to clarify the concept of securitization and under which conditions it took place and discourse and content analysis to highlight the speech acts of Bashar al-Assad during the process. To this end, 46 different speeches and interviews of President Bashar al-Assad are analyzed. In all, it is concluded that speeches/discourses adopted by Assad had implications which served the aims and the targets of his rule and government during the Syrian Civil War.

Public Policy Analysis in the Field of National Security: A Study on the Securitization of Illegal Asylum Seekers During the John Howard Administration in Australia

This article aims to understand the securitisation process of MV Tampa asylum seekers during the leadership of John Howard, who tended to perceive them as a threat. As one of the countries that ratified the International Convention regarding asylum seekers, this action became a problem because it was considered a form of Australia's inconsistency towards the Convention and drew many reactions from other related parties. This article aims to discover how MV Tampa asylum seekers are framed as a national threat to Australia using the concept of Securitisation and Illegal Asylum Seekers. In this article, the author uses a qualitative method with data collection techniques through document-based studies, internet-based studies, and interviews. The author finds that the policies taken by Australia are not always state-centric because of John Howard's motives in facing the 2001 federal election. In addition, asylum seekers tend to be framed as an existential threat to social security in Australia.

Comparative analysis of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo’s food estate policies as a national food securitization attempts

Food-related issues affecting many people have long been a point of concern for nations, including Indonesia. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had signed policies for food resilient policies that were riddled with problems such as land rights misallocation. Therefore, this research is conducted to answer research questions, including the comparison of food estate policies during the SBY and Jokowi, the act of securitization by both governments using food estate policies, and the inclusion of local farmers or people’s interest in the implementation of food estate policy strategies. The descriptive approach explains the impact and insufficiencies of policy implementation in their respective regimes. The comparison technique is called Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), focusing on seeking the most similar out of the most different. The securitization concept is used to define a wide-ranging strategy utilized to reduce food vulnerabilities. This research showcased several differences between each regime’s national food securitization attempts, especially regarding the involvement of military mechanisms in Jokowi’s food estate. This research proved the existence of securitization attempts in each regime’s policy implementation, with problems relating to land access and lack of local farmers’ agencies. Researchers found that this is partially caused by limited government understanding surrounding food security, which only persisted on availability instead of sustainability.

Securitization of the Past in a Risk Society: a socio-philosophical analysis

The article examines the concept of securitization from the point of view of social philosophy, determines the need to abandon objectivism or extreme constructivism in the analysis of this concept. The prerequisites for the formation of the security value are analyzed, as well as the main forms of securitization common in modern risk society, in particular, military, political, social, economic and environmental securitization. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the social conditions for the implementation of the securitization strategy. The object of the study is the phenomenon of securitization as a socio-philosophical phenomenon, and the subject of the study is mnemonic securitization as a new form of addressing the problem of security in a modern risk society. The author introduces the concept of securitization as a social practice based on the willingness of the community to perceive a certain natural or social phenomenon as an objectively existing threat. Mnemonic securitization is considered as a fundamentally new type of securitization, which presupposes the desire to present symbolically significant images of the past as an object of influence from ideological opponents. A special contribution to the problems of research is determined by the identification of links between the processes of transformation of collective communities and the emergence of risks of collective identity, which is expressed in the formation of ideas about the need for ontological security and the delegation of powers to protect this form of security by political actors, primarily the state.

Securitizing Health: Biosecurity and Postwar Reconstruction in Korea

In the winter of 1951, while the war was still raging in the Korean peninsula, the Government of Republic of Korea made a formal request to the United Nations Korea Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA) to dispatch experts to help the war-ridden nation develop long-term plans for recovery and reconstruction. The UNKRA accepted this request and further took up the matter with the United Nations Assembly, which passed the motion to send expert missions in the areas requested by the South Korean government - agriculture, public health and education. To assist the war-damaged South Korea, experts were culled from three United Nations specialized agencies - the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This paper will examine these three plans drafted by the FAO, WHO and UNESCO in 1952 to explore how securitization of health or biosecurity was articulated in the planning for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of post-war Korea. The long-term plans of postwar rehabilitation and reconstruction by UNKRA have been cited as experiments in development and modernization. However, by applying the concept of securitization of health or biosecurity, this paper will show how the interpretation of health as a security matter was conceptualized by the international actors involved in the postwar reconstruction of Korea.

Securitization: Terrorism prevention policy in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi

The existence of terrorism in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi is triggered by a communal conflict among religions since 2000. A series of acts of terrorism have disrupted the regulation of government and public order and security, so that the regional government carried out special handling of this case. The objective of this study is to analyze the pattern of terrorism prevention carried out by the regional government in Poso Regency. This study used a qualitative method with a case study approach to conduct an in-depth descriptive study regarding the pattern of strengthening the terrorism prevention policy and its follow-up. In analyzing this case, this study used the concept of securitization developed by Buzan (1991) through the principles of social, economic, and political security. The results of the study showed that the regional government has made efforts to prevent acts of terrorism by (1) Strengthening the Early Detection of Terrorism Tendency Program, (2) Strengthening the Religious Harmony Program, (3) Strengthening the Community Social Life Program, (4) Strengthening the Entrepreneurship Program that covers various activities, including; establishing Village of Harmony and Early Awareness Forum, carrying out counseling on Pancasila values, providing social assistance and entrepreneurship training for the poor and families of ex-terrorism convicts. This study concludes that the regional government has made systematic efforts with a securitization approach in a strict security pattern with community involvement.