61. The Securitisation of Migration: A Risky Strategy for European States
- Author:
- Christina Boswell
- Publication Date:
- 04-2007
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Danish Institute for International Studies
- Abstract:
- Debates about the "securitisation" of migration may over-state the effectiveness with which states are able to link immigration policies with the defence of the national political community against external threats. The example of Italy under Berlusconi, or UK policy since 9/11, show that a "securitarian" rhetoric is sometimes still accompanied by liberal economic policies and regularisation programs, or can easily undermine state legitimacy when a tough line on closed doors is difficult to deliver. Because of the lack of scrutiny on some policies at the European level, however, European immigration policies have been one area where governments have been able to avoid political protest or human rights concerns and implement a tough security based policy, often "outsourcing" the implementation to regions of origin.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, and Migration
- Political Geography:
- Europe