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The evolution of the European Union's 'fight against terrorism' discourse: constructing the terrorist 'other'
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to explore the ways in which the EUâs counter-terrorism discourse, the 'fight against terrorism', is constructed, and the ways in which it functions both rhetorically and in practice. It argues that that 'EU identity' is constituted through and is central to the constitution of EU counter-terrorism policy. The approach taken is constructivist in nature drawing on a discourse analysis of primarily European Council policy documents, as well as the reports and speeches of the EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator. In particular, it identifies three strands of the discourse that it is argued play a key role in the construction of a terrorist 'other'. These three strands include: terrorism as crime and as an emotive act of violence; terrorism as an act perpetrated solely by non-state actors; and terrorism as a 'new' and 'evolving' threat. The article proceeds in three steps. First, it outlines the theoretical considerations that underpin this research, including its empirical application. Second, it demonstrates how each strand of the discourse is constructed. Third, it discusses the functioning of the discourse, including the contested nature of the 'terrorism knowledge' that underpins the EU's counter-terrorism approach. The article concludes by reflecting on what this case study contributes to our understanding of EU counter-terrorism policy, as well as explaining how the notion of the terrorist 'other' could provide the basis for a future research agenda that deepens our understanding of how the identity of the EU is constituted
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The discursive construction of EU counter-terrorism policy: writing the âmigrant otherâ, securitisation and control
Get PDFThis article argues that the EU counter-terrorism policy reflects a deep-rooted mistrust or fear of the âmigrant otherâ. The first half of the article focuses on the discursive construction of terrorism and the concept of securitisation. Drawing on Foucault and in line with scholars such as Campbell (1992), Milliken (1999) and HĂŒlsse and Spencer (2008) the concept of discourse advocated here is one that is above individual discourse participant; the EU is a place where power/knowledge meets and is refracted back into social and political life. An alternative conception of securitisation is offered in order to demonstrate the processes involved in the discursive construction of the âmigrant otherâ as a security threat. The second half of the article will identify two meta-narratives linked to the construction of the âmigrant otherâ within the EU counter-terrorism policy. The first of these narratives constructs the âterrorist otherâ as a threat to the globalised, âopenâ society of the EU. This has the implicit effect of constructing and conflating the âmigrant otherâ with the threat of terrorism. The second meta-narrative that will provide the focus of analysis is a contingency-based discourse that constructs the âmigrant otherâ as in need of control in order to prevent the possibility of future terrorist attacks
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