Critical Discourse Studies and the Concept of Securitization in the Speech of George W. Bush after 9/11

Term Paper , 2021 , 16 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

This paper will address the question of what securitization is in the case of Critical Discourse Studies and how George W. Bush made use of it after the events of September 11, 2001.

Since the concept of securitization originates from political science, the first step will be to explain the meaning of the concept from the perspective of political science (chapter 1.1) in order to show the importance of securitization in the context of critical discourse studies (chapter 1.2). After that, the speech of George W. Bush will be analyzed for linguistic conspicuities (chapter 3), before the focus will be on whether and how he used the concept of securitization in his speech (chapter 4). Afterward, the impact that the securitization of 9/11 had on the following years will be considered (chapter 5). And finally, the results of this work will be pointedly summarized in the last chapter (chapter 6).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• INTRODUCTION.
• WHAT IS SECURITIZATION?
• SECURITIZATION AS A POLITICAL CONCEPT
• THE MEANING OF SECURITIZATION FOR CRITICAL DISCOURSE STUDIES
• ANALYSIS OF GEORGE W. BUSH'S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001
• SECURITIZATION IN THE CASE OF GEORGE W. BUSH'S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001
• THE EFFECTS OF THE SECURITIZATION OF 9/11 IN THE YEARS AFTER THE ATTACKS.
• CONCLUSION.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to explore the concept of securitization in the context of critical discourse studies and analyze how George W. Bush utilized this concept in his speech following the September 11, 2001, attacks. By examining the linguistic strategies employed by Bush, the paper seeks to demonstrate the influence of securitization in shaping public perceptions and justifying political actions.

• Securitization as a speech act and its role in framing political discourse.
• The impact of securitization on the meaning of words and concepts related to security, terrorism, and freedom.
• The linguistic strategies employed by George W. Bush in his speech to securitize the events of September 11th.
• The effects of securitization on political actions and public opinion in the years following the attacks.
• The dangers of securitization and its potential misuse as an instrument of power.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the context for the paper by discussing the significance of the September 11th attacks and the impact they had on the meaning of concepts such as freedom, war, and peace. It introduces the concept of securitization and its relevance to understanding the events of 9/11 and their aftermath.
• What is Securitization?: This chapter defines the concept of securitization as a speech act that elevates an issue to the level of an existential threat, justifying extraordinary measures to restore security. It explores the different components of securitization, including the securitization actor, the referent object, and the audience.
• Securitization as a Political Concept: This chapter provides a detailed explanation of securitization within the framework of political science. It examines the conditions that facilitate successful securitization and the potential consequences of this speech act, including the legitimization of actions that might be considered undemocratic or even barbaric.
• The Meaning of Securitization for Critical Discourse Studies: This chapter explores the implications of securitization for critical discourse studies. It argues that securitization can be used as a tool for analyzing how language is used to shape perceptions of reality and influence political action.
• Analysis of George W. Bush's Speech from the 20th of September 2001: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of George W. Bush's speech to the joint session of Congress following the September 11th attacks. It identifies specific linguistic strategies used by Bush to frame the events of 9/11 as a security threat.
• Securitization in the Case of George W. Bush's Speech from the 20th of September 2001: This chapter analyzes how George W. Bush's speech utilized the concept of securitization to legitimize his declaration of war on terror and to shape public opinion in favor of taking aggressive action against terrorism.
• The Effects of the Securitization of 9/11 in the Years After the Attacks: This chapter explores the long-term effects of securitizing the events of September 11th on political actions, public opinion, and the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world. It examines the potential consequences of this securitization strategy, including its potential for misuse and its impact on democratic principles.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The central keywords and concepts of this work encompass: securitization, critical discourse studies, political speech, terrorism, 9/11, George W. Bush, framing, existential threat, security, freedom, Islam, war on terror, public opinion, political action, power, and democracy.

• College: University of Koblenz-Landau
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Nathalie Schmitt (Author)
• Publication Year: 2021
• Pages: 16
• Catalog Number: V1268773
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346717382
• ISBN (Book): 9783346717399
• Language: English
• Tags: critical, discourse, studies, concept, securitization, speech, george, bush