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

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 object(s) and existential threat(s) – 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.

Keywords

• Securitazion Theory
• Referent Object
• Existential Threat
• Securitizing Actor

ABD Başkanları Bush ve Obama'nın Kamuya Açık Konuşmalarında "Referans Nesne(ler)" ve "Varoluşsal Tehdit(ler)"i Keşfetmek (2001-2017): Bir Güvenlikleştirme Teorisi Perspektifi

Abstract

Bu araştırma, güvenlikleştirme teorisinin iki önemli yönü olan referans nesne(ler) ve varoluşsal tehdit(ler)i keşfetme amacıyla ABD'nin iki eski Başkanı George W. Bush ve Barack Obama’nın seçilmiş kamuya açık konuşmaları üzerinden Terörle karşı Savaş politikalarını incelemektedir. ABD'de 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 Bush'un 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.

Keywords

• Güvenlikleştirme Teorisi
• Referans Nesnesi
• Varoluşsal Tehdidi
• Güvenlikleştirici Aktörü
• Dinleyici Kitlesi

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