Securitization of Migration

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative and empirically oriented analysis of theItalian political discourse which took place in response to the immigrationwave that appeared after the outbreak of the Arab Spring in the first half of2011. Using the concept of securitization introduced by the CopenhagenSchool, the author seeks to deconstruct the discursive strategy of SilvioBerlusconi’s government at the time, which was intended to legitimizeextraordinary reactive measures at both national and supranational (EU)levels. The author also provides an interpretation of how the Italian cabinetpresented the mass influx of African migrants while exerting instrumentalpressure on the EU to provide appropriate assistance to Italy. The articleconcludes by showing how the discourse, which was accompanied byadministrative and political practices, led to an escalation of the crisis withinthe EU and subsequently opened up the space for a fundamental revisionof the rules regarding the Schengen area.