Discovering ‘Referent Object(s)’ and ‘Existential Threat(s)’ in the Public Speeches of the USA Presidents Bush and Obama (2001-2017): A Securitization Theory Perspective

Md Mahmudur Rahman

Article Details

Discovering ‘Referent Object(s)’ and ‘Existential Threat(s)’ in the Public Speeches of the USA Presidents Bush and Obama (2001-2017): A Securitization Theory Perspective

Authors:

Md Mahmudur Rahman

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Uluslararası Güvenlik

Journal:

The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations Vol.55, pp.23-47

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001322738

pISSN:

0544-1943

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This research examines the War on Terror policies by the selected public speeches of the two former Presidents of the USA, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, with the object of discovering the referent objects and existential threats  the two significant aspects of securitization theory. The process of securitization of Muslim communities, which expanded in parallel with the war on terror policy followed by the Bush and Obama administrations in the USA after September 11, has also been examined. The study claims that the concepts of referent objects and existential threats had realized through discursive political practices of the Presidents. The study finds that President Bush mobilized public opinion against different people, groups, terrorist organizations, and nations by securitizing them. In contrast, President Obama securitized some terrorist groups while seeking to desecuritize a previously securitized but less serious issue.

 This research examines the War on Terror policies by the selected public speeches of the two former Presidents of the USA, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, with the object of discovering the referent objects and existential threats  the two significant aspects of securitization theory. The process of securitization of Muslim communities, which expanded in parallel with the war on terror policy followed by the Bush and Obama administrations in the USA after September 11, has also been examined. The study claims that the concepts of referent objects and existential threats had realized through discursive political practices of the Presidents. The study finds that President Bush mobilized public opinion against different people, groups, terrorist organizations, and nations by securitizing them. In contrast, President Obama securitized some terrorist groups while seeking to desecuritize a previously securitized but less serious issue.

 This research examines the War on Terror policies by the selected public speeches of the two former Presidents of the USA, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, with the object of discovering the referent objects and existential threats  the two significant aspects of securitization theory. The process of securitization of Muslim communities, which expanded in parallel with the war on terror policy followed by the Bush and Obama administrations in the USA after September 11, has also been examined. The study claims that the concepts of referent objects and existential threats had realized through discursive political practices of the Presidents. The study finds that President Bush mobilized public opinion against different people, groups, terrorist organizations, and nations by securitizing them. In contrast, President Obama securitized some terrorist groups while seeking to desecuritize a previously securitized but less serious issue.

 Bu araştırma, güvenlikleştirme teorisinin iki önemli yönü olan referans nesneler ve varoluşsal tehditleri keşfetme amacıyla ABDnin iki eski Başkanı George W. Bush ve Barack Obamanın seçilmiş kamuya açık konuşmaları üzerinden Terörle karşı Savaş politikalarını incelemektedir. ABDde Bush ve Obama yönetimlerinin 11 Eylül sonrasında izlediği terörle savaş politikasına paralel olarak genişleyen Müslüman toplulukların güvenlikleştirilmesi süreci de incelenmiştir. Çalışma, referans nesneleri ve varoluşsal tehdit kavramlarının söylemsel politik pratikler aracılığıyla gerçekleştiğini iddia etmektedir. Araştırma, Başkan Bushun farklı kişilere, gruplara, terör örgütlerine ve uluslara karşı güvenlikleştirerek kamuoyunu harekete geçirdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Bunun aksine, Başkan Obama, daha önce güvenlikleştirilmiş ancak daha az ciddi bir konuyu güvenlikleştirmeden çıkarmaya çalışırken bazı terörist grupları da güvenlikleştirmiştir.

Article Details

Discovering ‘Referent Object(s)’ and ‘Existential Threat(s)’ in the Public Speeches of the USA Presidents Bush and Obama (2001-2017): A Securitization Theory Perspective

Authors:

Md Mahmudur Rahman

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Uluslararası Güvenlik

Journal:

The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations Vol.55, pp.23-47

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001322738

pISSN:

0544-1943

Securitazion Theory

Referent Object

Existential Threat

Securitizing ActorGüvenlikleştirme Teorisi

Referans Nesnesi

Varoluşsal Tehdidi

Güvenlikleştirici Aktörü

Dinleyici Kitlesi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Md Mahmudur Rahman

Publisher: Ankara University

Main Topics: Uluslararası Güvenlik

Journal: The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations Vol.55, pp.23-47

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 11/2024

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001322738

pISSN: 0544-1943

Issues

Authors:

Md Mahmudur Rahman

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Uluslararası Güvenlik

Journal:

The Turkish Yearbook of International Relations Vol.55, pp.23-47

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001322738

pISSN:

0544-1943