Securitization is probably the most prominent concept of the Copenhagen School. It is argued that 'security' is a speech act with distinct consequences in the context over international politics. By talking security an actor tries to move a topic away from politics and into an area of security concerns thereby legitimating extraordinary means against the socially constructed threat. The process of securitization is intersubjective meaning that it is neither a question of an objective threat or a subjective perception of a threat. Instead securitization of a subject depends on an audience accepting the securitization speech act.
Many critical security scholars, especially since 9/11, have used the term 'securitization' without giving proper credit to the Copenhagen School.
Some of the most detailed books on the subject are:
- Understanding Global Security, Peter Hough,Routledge, 2004
- Barry Buzan, People, States and Fear, ECPR, 2007
- The Empire of Security, William Bain, Routledge, 2006
Read more about this topic: Copenhagen School (international Relations)