Redefinition of Security Concept: The Value of Securitisation Theory

Pendefinisian Semula Konsep Sekuriti: Nilai Teori Sekuritisasi

Authors

  • Nadirah Mohd Azmi Department of Malaysian Studies, Faculty of Human Sciences, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37134/perspektif.vol14.2.5.2022

Keywords:

human security, non-traditional security (NTS), security, securitisation theory

Abstract

The concept of security is generally associated with anything related to military issues, e.g., war and conflict. However, the rise of non-traditional security (hereinafter NTS) threats like terrorism, ethnic cleansing, and infectious diseases challenge the conventional security concept. The debate created a significant question of how to broaden the scope of security to encompass other non-military issues while avoiding losing its analytical value. Hence, the article focuses on the debate of re-conceptualising and widening the concept of security. Two possible outcomes of this debate are explored using the library method: securitisation theory and human security. Although human security is viewed as one of the solutions to the debate, it has been criticised for its lack of a meaningful concept, particularly in addressing NTS threats. It is in this contextual gap that securitisation theory has attempted to fill. However, the theory also comes with conceptual and methodological shortcomings. By offering an outline of the theory, this article highlights the value of the theory while noting that it requires further refinement.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aradau, C. (2004). Security and the Democratic Scene: Desecuritization and Emancipation. Journal of International Relations and Development, 7(4), 388–413. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jird.1800030.

Aradau, C. (2008). Rethinking Trafficking in Women: Politics out of Security. Palgrave Macmillan.

Booth, K. (2007). Theory of World Security. Cambridge University Press.

Buzan, B. (1991). People, States and Fear: An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. Harvester Wheatsheaf.

Buzan, B. (1999). Rethinking Security after Cold War. Cooperation and Conflict, 32(1), 5–28. https://doi.org/0803973233.

Buzan, B., & Wæver, O. (2003). Regions and Power: The Structure of International Security. Cambridge University Press.

Buzan, B., Wæver, O., & de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A New Framework for Analysis. Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Crick, E. (2012). Drugs as an Existential Threat: An Analysis of the International Securitization of Drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy, 23(5), 407–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.03.004.

Deudney, D. (1990). The Case against Linking Environmental Degradation and National Security. Millennium - Journal of International Studies, 19(3), 461–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/03058298900190031001.

Emmers, R. (2003). ASEAN and the Securitization of Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia. The Pacific Review, 16(3), 419–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/0951274032000085653.

Floyd, R. (2007). Towards a Consequentialist Evaluation of Security: Bringing Together the Copenhagen and the Welsh Schools of Security Studies. Review of International Studies, 33, 327–50. https://doi.org/10.1017/S026021050700753X.

Floyd, R. (2010). Security and the Environment : Securitisation Theory and US Environmental Security Policy. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511730146

Floyd, R. (2011). Can Securitization Theory Be Used in Normative Analysis? Towards a Just Securitization Theory. Security Dialogue, 42(4–5), 427–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010611418712.

Floyd, R. (2014). Just and Unjust Desecuritization. In T. Balzacq (Ed.), Contesting Security: Strategies and Logics (pp. 122–138). Routledge.

Floyd, R. (2016). Extraordinary or Ordinary Emergency Measures: What, and Who, Defines the ‘Success’ of Securitization? Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 29(2), 668–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/09557571.2015.1077651.

Floyd, R. (2018). Parallels with the Hate Speech Debate: The Pros and Cons of Criminalising Harmful Securitising Requests. Review of International Studies, 44(1), 43–63. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210517000328.

Fox, J., & Akbaba, Y. (2013). Securitization of Islam and Religious Discrimination: Religious Minorities in Western Democracies, 1990–2008. Comparative European Politics, 13(2), 175–97. https://doi.org/10.1057/cep.2013.8.

Gjørv, G. H. (2012). Security by Any Other Name: Negative Security, Positive Security, and a Multi-Actor Security Approach. Review of International Studies, 38(4), 835–59. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210511000751.

Haftendorn, H. (1991). The Security Puzzle: Theory-Building and Discipline-Building in International Security. International Studies Quarterly, 35(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.2307/2600386.

Hough, P. (2008). Understanding Global Security (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Huysmans, J. (1998). Revisiting Copenhagen: Or, on the Creative Development of a Security Studies Agenda in Europe. European Journal of International Relations, 4(4), 479–505. https://doi.org/0803973233.

James, S. (2013). Human Security, Environmental Security, Securitization and Sovereignty. Journal of Human Security Studies, 2(1), 30–47.

Jones, L. (2011). Beyond Securitization: Explaining the Scope of Security Policy in Southeast Asia. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 11(3), 403–32. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcr002.

Karyotis, G. (2012). Securitization of Migration in Greece: Process, Motives, and Implications. International Political Sociology, 6(4), 390–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/ips.12002.

Keohane, R. O. (1986). Theory of World Politics: Structural Realism and Beyond. In R. O. Keohane (Ed.), NeoRealism and Its Critics (pp. 158–203). Columbia University Press.

Khong, Y. F. (2001). Human Security: A Shotgun Approach to Alleviating Human Misery? Global Governance, 7(3), 231–236.

Krause, K. (2004). Is Human Security “More than Just a Good IdeaP=”?. In M. Brzoska & P. J. Croll (Eds.), Promoting Security: But How and For Whom? Contributions to BICC’s Ten-Year Anniversary Conference (pp. 43–46). Bonn International Center for Conversion.

Laki, J. (2006). Non-Traditional Security Issues: Securitisation of Transnational Crime in Asia. (IDSS Working Paper Series No. 98). https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/nts/98-wp098-non%E2%80%91traditional-secu/#.Y56F9HZByyw

Lo, Y.-P. (2012). The Securitisation of HIV/AIDS: China and India. [Master’s thesis, The University of Hong Kong]. The HKU Scholars Hub. https://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/173927

Mathews, J. T. (1989). Redefining Security. Foreign Affairs, 68, 162–77.

Mearsheimer, J. J. (1995). The False Promise of International Institutions. International Security, 19(3), 5–49.

Newman, E. (2001). Human Security and Constructivism. International Studies Perspectives, 2(3), 239–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/1528-3577.00055.

Newman, E. (2010). Critical Human Security Studies. Review of International Studies, 36 (1), 77–94. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210509990519.

Nishikawa, Yukiko. (2010). Human Security in Southeast Asia. Taylor & Francis e-Library.

Nyman, J. (2016). What Is the Value of Security? Contextualising the Negative/Positive Debate. Review of International Studies, 42(part 5), 821–839. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210516000140.

Paris, R. (2001). Human Security: Paradigm Shift or Hot Air? International Security, 26(2), 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1162/016228801753191141.

Peoples, C., & Vaughan-Williams, N. (2010). Critical Security Studies: An Introduction. Routledge.

Roe, P. (2014). Gender and ‘positive’ Security. International Relations, 28(1), 116–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047117813502503.

Selgelid, M. J., & Enemark, C. (2008). Infectious Diseases, Security and Ethics: The Case of HIV/AIDS. Bioethics, 22(9), 457–465. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00696.x.

Thomas, N., & Tow, W. T. (2002). The Utility of Human Security: Sovereignty and Humanitarian Intervention. Security Dialogue, 33(2), 177–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010602033002006.

Ullman, R. H. (1983). Redefining Security. International Security, 8(1), 129–153.

Wæver, O. (1995). Securitization and Desecuritization. In R. D. Lipschutz (Ed.), On Security (pp. 46–86). Columbia University Press.

Wæver, O. (1999). Securitizing Sectors? Reply to Eriksson. Cooperation and Conflict, 34(3), 334–340.

Wæver, O. (2011). Politics, Security, Theory. Security Dialogue, 42(4–5), 465–480. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010611418718.

Waite, M., & Hawker, S. (Eds.). (2009). Oxford Paperback: Dictionary and Thesaurus (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Walt, S. M. (1991). The Renaissance of Security Studies. International Studies Quaterly, 35(2), 211–239. http://jstor.org/stable2600471.

Yuk-Ping, C. Lo., & Thomas, N. (2010). How Is Health a Security Issue? Politics, Responses and Issues. Health Policy and Planning, 25(6), 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czq063.

Published

2022-12-23

How to Cite

Mohd Azmi, N. (2022). Redefinition of Security Concept: The Value of Securitisation Theory: Pendefinisian Semula Konsep Sekuriti: Nilai Teori Sekuritisasi. Perspektif Jurnal Sains Sosial Dan Kemanusiaan, 14(2), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.37134/perspektif.vol14.2.5.2022