Securitization Theory and the Dynamics of Exceptional Measures

Exceptional Measures Without Successful Securitization

• Securitization theory posits that security threats are socially constructed through speech acts rather than objective dangers.
• However, exceptional measures, such as emergency laws, surveillance, or restrictions on rights, can be implemented without a successful securitization move.
• For instance, COVID-19 lockdowns were exceptional measures, but they were not always framed as a “security” issue like terrorism.

Characteristics of Securitization

• A shift from the political sphere to the security sphere occurs when a political issue (e.g., immigration, climate change) is transformed into a security threat.
• Existential threat language is employed, framing the issue as an urgent crisis that threatens the survival of a referent object (e.g., state, society, humanity).

Emergency Response vs. Security Imperative

Some policies may be driven by an emergency response rather than a security imperative. These issues may involve exceptional measures without the need for explicit securitization (e.g., economic bailouts during recessions).

• For example, central banks intervening in financial crises is an exceptional measure, but it is rarely framed as “security.”

The Threat-Referent Relationship

• Perspective: Who defines the threat? (e.g., state, individuals, international community).
• Referent Object: What is being threatened? (e.g., nation-state, human rights, global civilization).

Prioritizing Threats

Which threats are given more importance, and why? For instance, terrorism is often considered a higher priority than climate change.

Actors in Security Enactment

Traditional security studies often focus on states as the primary actors in security, particularly the military and intelligence agencies. However, alternative perspectives suggest that global organizations, corporations, and even individuals can also play a role in enacting security.

Theoretical Perspectives on Security Determination

Realism and Neorealism in Security Studies

• Realism: Posits that states act in their own self-interest, prioritizing military power and national security.
• Neorealism (Waltz): Suggests that international anarchy forces states into a power struggle, even if they do not intend to compete.

Impact on Security Perspective

These theories tend to focus on national security, military spending, and the balance of power rather than global cooperation.

Constructivism and Critical Theory

• Constructivism: Believes that security is socially constructed and shaped by discourse and identity.
• Critical Theory: Argues that security is shaped by power structures, often serving the interests of the elite.

Shifting Focus: From National Security to Humanity's Survival

Sears' Critique and Proposal for Existential Security

Sears’ article shifts the focus from national security to humanity’s survival as the primary security concern. Anthropogenic existential threats—human-caused risks such as nuclear war, AI, and climate change—are highlighted as the main threats to humanity.

Sears critiques traditional security theories, arguing that national security often prioritizes state survival over human survival. In response, Sears proposes an alternative approach to existential security, emphasizing the importance of human well-being and the pursuit of a more sustainable future.

Key Tenets of Existential Security

• Humanity as the Referent Object: Humanity should be the primary focus of security concerns, rather than the state.
• Global Cooperation over State Competition: International cooperation is crucial to address global security challenges and prevent state competition from escalating into conflicts.
• Mutual Restraint and Resilience: Instead of relying solely on military power, countries should strive for mutual restraint and resilience to build a more peaceful and secure world.

The State: Actor Versus Referent Object

• The State as an Actor: The state plays a role in enforcing security policies, such as military, intelligence, and border control.
• The State as a Referent Object: The state itself is seen as a target that needs to be protected, encompassing concepts like sovereignty and government stability.

Existential Security's View on the Referent Object

Existential security argues that humanity, not the state, should be the primary referent object for security concerns. Traditional security often equates security with power.

Principles of Existential Security

• Power and violence should be minimized in security efforts.
• International cooperation is essential to address global security challenges and prevent conflicts from escalating.
• Mutual restraint and resilience are crucial for building a more peaceful and secure world.

The Role and Perception of Borders

• Experiences: People perceive borders differently, such as citizens versus migrants.
• Practices: Border security policies include immigration control and surveillance.
• Objects: Borders serve as both physical and conceptual security tools.
• Internal National Security: Some states extend border authority into domestic spaces, like the US CBP detaining individuals within 100 miles of any border.
• Defense: National security often relies on the notion that borders protect against external threats.

Constructivism in Security Analysis

• Security is not solely about military power; it is influenced by social perceptions, identities, and discourse.
• Example: Climate change was initially not recognized as a security threat but has since been framed as such through discourse.
• Impact: Constructivism challenges traditional, state-centric security views by emphasizing who defines threats and how they are presented.