This research paper ascertains, by means of the Social Identity Theory, the social psychological characteristics that facilitate the occurrence of the securitizing act on behalf of the actor of the Copenhagen School’s Securitization Theory, termed as functional actor, and more commonly known as ‚significant addressed audience’. By this,it aims at the understanding of the factors that determine the functional actor to consent to securitization, since this category of actor has been left untheorized, despite of its key role in the securitization process.
The departure point is a question that the authors of the securitization theory, themselves address: “When does an argument […] achieve sufficient effect to make an audience tolerate violations of rules that would otherwise have to be obeyed? […] For individuals and groups to speak security does not guarantee success” as “securitization is not decided by the securitizer, but by the audience of the speech act.” (Buzan 1998:25,31) The only stipulation refers to the functional actor’s power to materialize securitization, being neither the referent object, nor the securitizing actor. The deficiency of theorization has impelled a social psychological elaboration of the functional actor’s distinguishing features that causes it to accept the securitizing act, since the absence of details in this respect leaves much space for interpretation, and leads to the investment of resources, when securitization analysis should not be centered upon the establishment of the actors, but upon the process and dynamics of securitization.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical frame.
- The Securitization Theory.
- ,,Auxiliary Theories".
- Henri Tajfel“s and John Turner's Social Identity Theory
- Fritz Heider's Social Balance Theory.
- The Consideration of the Functional Actor from the Perspective of the „Auxiliary Theories“ ….
- The Functional Actor's Position in the Securitization Constellation..
- A Possible Classification of the Functional Actor.
- Features Resulting From the In-Group Processes.
- Features Resulting from Intergroup Processes
- Conclusion....
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The goal of this research paper is to analyze, using the Social Identity Theory, the social psychological characteristics that facilitate the occurrence of the securitizing act by the functional actor. The paper aims to understand the factors determining the functional actor's consent to securitization, particularly considering that this category of actor has been under-theorized, despite its key role in the securitization process.
- Identifying the social psychological factors that influence the functional actor's consent to securitization.
- Exploring the role of the functional actor in the securitization process.
- Analyzing the interplay of the Social Identity Theory and the Social Balance Theory in understanding securitization.
- Investigating the implications of the Social Identity Theory for the securitization theory.
- Exploring the limitations of the Social Identity Theory in explaining the functional actor.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the theoretical framework of the research, providing brief presentations of the Securitization Theory, the Social Identity Theory, and the Social Balance Theory. These latter two theories are termed "auxiliary theories" as they contribute to explaining the Securitization Theory on another level.
The second chapter, which constitutes the core of the research, focuses on determining the functional actor in accordance with established variables and conditions. This chapter analyzes the functional actor's position within the securitization constellation, explores possible classifications of the functional actor, and examines features resulting from both in-group and inter-group processes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research paper focuses on the social psychological requirements of the functional actor in the context of securitization. Key themes include the Social Identity Theory, the Social Balance Theory, inter-group processes, in-group processes, and the securitization process.
- Quote paper
- Ricarda Popa (Author), 2009, The Functional Actor in the Securitization Process, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/141994
