The Copenhagen School and Beyond. A Closer Look at Securitisation Theory

Abstract

The aim of the chapter is to provide a closer look at the Copenhagen School of security and its proposition of securitisation theory. In doing so, the chapter presents a discussion on the main conceptual building blocks of the theory, outlining their characteristics and critique reflected in the current securitisation literature. The chapter is structured as follows. The first section provides an overview of the mechanics of securitisation theory, defining its key constituents – speech act, logic of exception, and actor-audience interaction. Further, it moves to discussion on each of these elements, elaborating their specific role within the theory, but also outlining their specific limiting effects on securitisation research. The last section discusses how the debate on securitisation has been expanding, opening the door to new conceptual frameworks as well as elaborations of security.