The Securitization of Migration in AustriaPaul Ploberger

Tihany, 09.05.2015

Overview

What happened?

What is „security“?

What is „securitization“?

What is wrong with „securitization“?

What does that mean for migration?

What to take away from this talk

What happened?

Recruitment of „guest workers“ throughout the 1960ies

Seen as necessary for economic growth

Migration as part of labor market politics

What happened?

What happened?

Oil crisis in 1974

Organized crime as new topic

90ies: threat to

Austrian identity

Welfare system

Economic development

Shift in migration patterns (S-N -> E-W)

Rise of Austrian Freedom Party

What happened?

Jörg Haider († 2008)

Rightwing populist party

In government from 2000 to

2006

What happened?

Shift in institutional setting

Fremdenkriminalität („crime committed by foreigners“)

Connection: migrants – security of Austrian population

Expansion of „security“ limitation of migration and asylum

What is „security“?

(Military) survival of nation-state

Broadening of concept after Cold War

„Enemies“ „threats“ and „risks“

Nation-state individuals

„Widening and deepening“ of security

What is „security“?

Security is

Not clear-cut but ambiguous and contested

Not a material good but a social construct

There is no security issue per se

An issue has to be made a security issue

What is „securitization“?

Non-politicized politicized securitize

d

What is „securitization“?

Discoursive concept

Security located in language

Securitization is a Speech Act with a certain modality and logic:

Existential threat

Substantial consequences

Need to react right away

What’s wrong with “securitization”?

Indicates threat and immediate reaction

One solution as adequate

Limits dialog and opportunities for other solutions

Potentially undemocratic

Might undermine rights and liberties

Transparency and accountability?

What does this mean for migration?

Migrants/migration as possible threat legitimizes drastic measures

Limits to possibilities of migration

worsening of situation of migrants

„regular“ migration versus „irregular“ migration

What to take away from this talk

Security is highly ambiguous and controversial

A security issue has to be made

Question security issues!

Thank you!