This paper will address the question of what securitization is in the case of Critical Discourse Studies and how George W. Bush made use of it after the events of September 11, 2001.
Since the concept of securitization originates from political science, the first step will be to explain the meaning of the concept from the perspective of political science (chapter 1.1) in order to show the importance of securitization in the context of critical discourse studies (chapter 1.2). After that, the speech of George W. Bush will be analyzed for linguistic conspicuities (chapter 3), before the focus will be on whether and how he used the concept of securitization in his speech (chapter 4). Afterward, the impact that the securitization of 9/11 had on the following years will be considered (chapter 5). And finally, the results of this work will be pointedly summarized in the last chapter (chapter 6).
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. WHAT IS SECURITIZATION?
2.1.SECURITIZATION AS A POLITICAL CONCEPT
2.2.THE MEANING OF SECURITIZATION FOR CRITICAL DISCOURSE STUDIES
3. ANALYSIS OF GEORGE W. BUSH‘S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001
4. SECURITIZATION IN THE CASE OF GEORGE W. BUSH’S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001
5. THE EFFECTS OF THE SECURITIZATION OF 9/11 IN THE YEARS AFTER THE ATTACKS
6. CONCLUSION
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the concept of securitization, originating from political science, can be applied to analyze the rhetorical strategies used by U.S. President George W. Bush in his speech following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The work explores how the construction of a specific discursive "enemy image" and the legitimation of extraordinary measures influenced American perception and political action.
- The definition and mechanisms of political securitization.
- The integration of securitization theory into Critical Discourse Studies.
- Linguistic analysis of George W. Bush’s September 20, 2001, address.
- The instrumentalization of fear and the formation of collective identity ("us vs. them").
- Long-term effects of the 9/11 securitization on global politics and civil liberties.
Excerpt from the Book
Analysis of George W. Bush‘s speech from the 20th of September 2001
During his speech on September 20, 2001, George W. Bush addressed the incidents that had happened nine days earlier in New York and Washington. Thematically, it takes up all the suffering that has come over America as a result of the terrorist attacks. Likewise, it is clearly worked out who is to blame for this misery and what measures must be taken from now on to protect America from another such attack. A primary thematic goal of this speech is, above all, national and international fraternization.
The speech is about 3000 words long and divided into 51 paragraphs which are partly very short and sometimes even consist of only one sentence. The paragraphs indicate short pauses during the speech, which are supposed to give more emphasis and intensity to what is said. However, some of the pauses are also caused by and filled with applause from the audience. His paragraphs are opened by rhetorical questions four times, which he then answers below (“Americans are asking: Who attacked our country?”, “Americans are asking, why do they hate us?”, “Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war?”, “Americans are asking: What is expected of us?”). These rhetorical questions can also be seen as leading questions of the speech. Nevertheless, what carries tremendous significance in this speech is not its structural design but the words Bush chose.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the context of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and establishes the analytical framework of securitization in Critical Discourse Studies.
2. WHAT IS SECURITIZATION?: The chapter defines securitization as a speech act within political science and discusses its specific application and relevance within Critical Discourse Studies.
3. ANALYSIS OF GEORGE W. BUSH‘S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001: This section analyzes the rhetorical structure, language choice, and thematic goals of the speech, highlighting the repeated use of "terror" and the creation of an "enemy image."
4. SECURITIZATION IN THE CASE OF GEORGE W. BUSH’S SPEECH FROM THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2001: The chapter evaluates how the speech successfully framed security and freedom as threatened referent objects, thereby securing public and international legitimacy.
5. THE EFFECTS OF THE SECURITIZATION OF 9/11 IN THE YEARS AFTER THE ATTACKS: This section discusses the long-term geopolitical impacts, including the war on terror, the Patriot Act, and the shift in the understanding of freedom versus security.
6. CONCLUSION: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that words and discourse are essential tools of power that can legitimize violence and shape political reality.
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lists the sources and academic literature referenced throughout the text.
Keywords
Securitization, Critical Discourse Studies, George W. Bush, 9/11, Terrorism, Speech Act, Rhetoric, Security, Freedom, Enemy Image, Political Science, Discursive Construction, War on Terror, Legitimacy, Othering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the application of the securitization concept within Critical Discourse Studies to analyze the speech of George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers political theory, critical discourse analysis, the rhetorical construction of threats, the instrumentalization of fear, and the geopolitical consequences of the "war on terror."
What is the central research question?
The central question is how securitization functions within Critical Discourse Studies and how George W. Bush specifically utilized these rhetorical processes after 9/11.
Which scientific method is applied?
The work employs a methodology based on Critical Discourse Analysis, supplemented by political science theories, specifically focusing on the speech-act theory of securitization.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body examines the definition of securitization, provides a detailed linguistic analysis of Bush's September 20 speech, and evaluates the resulting political and social impact in the following years.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include securitization, Critical Discourse Studies, 9/11, rhetoric, political legitimacy, and the war on terror.
How does the author define the "referent object" in the context of the Bush speech?
The referent object is defined as "security and freedom," which Bush successfully framed as being under an existential threat to justify subsequent military and political actions.
What role does "othering" play in the analyzed text?
Othering is described as a fundamental process of the speech act, where Bush constructs a clear distinction between the "good" American collective and an "evil" enemy, effectively mobilizing consensus.
Why is the "ticking time bomb" scenario mentioned in the study?
It is cited as an example of a "state of exception" that was rhetorically used to justify controversial measures like torture and state violence in the aftermath of 9/11.
- Quote paper
- Nathalie Schmitt (Author), 2021, Critical Discourse Studies and the Concept of Securitization in the Speech of George W. Bush after 9/11, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1268773
