Securitizing Uruzgan. Threat identification and formulation at the various levels during the Dutch military mission in Uruzgan (2006-2010)

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2015-06-08

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en

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This master thesis analyses to what extent the threats that are identified by the highest authority of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), correspond with the lower authority levels of the mission, the Dutch government and the Dutch military mission in Uruzgan respectively. The goal of the research is to understand the process of securitization of the ISAF mission in Uruzgan while at the same time the research tries to strengthen the theoretical foundations of the Securitization Theory. The literature review on the Securitization Theory results in a research framework that aims to make the theory more applicable to the case study of Uruzgan. The research framework functions as a guide through the three empirical chapters, one for each level. The chapters identify, through a desktop study of relevant official texts and other sources, issues that are securitized by the respective level. A comparison of the three levels shows that even if the same threats are identified by the different levels, there is still a difference of interpretation. Nevertheless all securitizations of NATOO are (at least to a certain extent) taken over by the other levels and thus can be seen as successful. The thesis concludes that social capital is significant for a successful securitization. It also concludes that more concrete threat are easier to securitize and more likely to be successful. Regarding the research framework the thesis concludes that it is indeed better suited for application to a case study than the original Securitization Theory.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen