This work uses a Security Studies theory elaborated by the Copenhagen School in order to determine if the European Union (EU) can be characterized as a regional security complex (RSC) in relation to the threats of Islamist terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) between 2001 and 2011. To accomplish this task, this research makes a combined use of two theories developed by the Copenhagen School: the theory of the RSC of Barry Buzan and Ole Waever, elaborated in 2003, and the theory of securitization that the two authors made together with Jaap de Wilde in 1998._x000D_ The research has two goals. First, using the securitization theory, it tries to determine the interrelations between the analyzed units' security dynamics, treating the EU as the dependent variable, the States selected as independent and explanatory variables (Germany, Spain, France, Italy and United Kingdom), and NATO as an intervening variable. Second, it focus on the framework of units' strategic interrelations to describe and explain the presence of the European RSC, its structural variables and the trends towards the maintenance of the status quo or change between 2001 and 2011. _x000D_ To sum up, the thesis checks the explanatory potential of the theory of the RSC with a constructivist slant and some elements of the institutionalist focus, against other explanations, classic in International Relations field, based on the intentions, interests and the context. Put another way, this work proposes to study the strategic and security practices of the EU, NATO and of Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany during ten years (2001-2011). Once relieved similarities and differences, compatibilities and incompatibilities - and through the use of operational instruments and guidelines of analysis offered by the theory of the RSC - the thesis tries to corroborate the existence of interrelationships between these practices and the securitization processes derived from them. _x000D_ The research questions are:_x000D_ 1. Starting from the analysis of discourses and security practices of the EU, NATO and the States analyzed, can we confirm the existence of the European RSC in relation to the threat of Islamist terrorism and the proliferation of WMD? _x000D_ 2. If so, how is RSC eventually structured? _x000D_ 3. In specific cases, do the EU and its Member States share threats perceptions? And which actions and concrete measures have the cases-study taken to ensure their security? _x000D_ 4. In the areas in which there's a sharing of the perception of the threats, is it possible to find a common action, or do divisions persist between the States and the EU? And what influence has NATO in these areas?_x000D_ To carry out research, a total of 2076 documents have been analyzed: 662 discourses, interventions, parliamentary hearings and interviews (speech acts) of elected public authorities; 1206 articles of five national newspapers; 131 normative acts and other documents and 77 national and Eurobarometer surveys.
El complejo europeo de seguridad regional entre 2001 y 2011 en relación a las amenazas del terrorismo islamista y de las armas de destrucción masiva
Demurtas , A. (Author). 4 Nov 2014
Student thesis: Doctoral thesis
Student thesis: Doctoral thesis