TP1 – Theoretical framework – Securitization PLUS

The primary focus of TP1 is the development of a theoretical and analytical framework in order to research the impact of socio-cultural factors on the acceptance or disapproval of security measures in public space. As a starting point the project concentrates on the securitization theory of the Copenhagen school (Ole Wæver, Barry Buzan et al.). In social sciences securitization theory examines societal interpretation processes that deal with the question of how certain issues are transformed into relevant security issues and need to be securitized. Securitization is conducted by a securitizing actor (an entity/person that makes the securitizing move/statement) on a referent object (the object that is being threatened and needs to be protected) and targets an audience (the target of the securitization act that needs to be persuaded and accept the issue as a security threat).

Securitization theory is a well established theory and is therefore chosen as starting point for the development of the theoretical framework of the research project. However the theory has some inherent deficiencies, which the research projects seeks to overcome by reforming the theory to securitization plus. Those theoretical deficiencies are: securitization…

  • concentrates on the securitizing actor
  • ignores the historical and social context in which it is performed
  • implies a homogenous audience
  • is a deterministic theory, because it expects a securitizing move to succeed
  • it can not explain the reciprocal relationship between speech act, securitizing actor and audience

TP1 will seek to overcome these deficiencies by concentrating more on the context in which securitization takes place and the audience that it addresses. The goal is to develop a theoretical and analytical framework in order to research the impact of socio-cultural factors on the acceptance or disapproval of security measures in public space.

Contact:

Dr. Susanne Fischer
Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Professur für Internationale Politik
Universität der Bundeswehr München
Werner Heisenberg-Weg 39
85577 Neubiberg
Tel.: +49 89 6004 – 2406
Fax: +49 89 6004 – 4460
Email: susanne.fischer@unibw.de
Web: http://www.unibw.de/sowi6_1/professur/team/susanne-fischer
 

Projekt management:

Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala
Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Professur für Internationale Politik
Universität der Bundeswehr München
Werner Heisenberg-Weg 39
85577 Neubiberg
Tel.: +49 89 6004 – 2044
Fax: +49 89 6004 – 4460
Email: carlo.masala@unibw.de
Web: http://www.unibw.de/sowi6_1/professur/Masala
Homepage: http://www.unibw.de/internationalepolitik/professur

Comments are closed.