Copenhagen school of security studies: Theory of securitization:

The Copenhagen School of security studies, rooted in Barry Buzan's work "People, State and Fear,"
gained prominence with the contributions of the Copenhagen Institute for Conflict and Peace Research.
Notably, Ole Wæver introduced the concept of securitization in the mid-1990s, a cornerstone of this
school. In their 1988 book "Security: A New Framework Analysis," Buzan, Wæver, and De Wilde laid the
foundation for securitization theory.

Traditionally, security was viewed in terms of military capabilities, aligning with realist theory's focus on
survival and military power. The Copenhagen School expanded this perspective, challenging the narrow
emphasis on external state threats. They introduced securitization theory, asserting that security is a
socially constructed concept and a speech act. This means issues become security threats through
language and persuasion, rather than inherent characteristics.

Securitization theory posits that security problems are not objective realities but products of an actor's
definition presenting an issue as a significant security concern. The success of securitization depends on
convincing people about the severity of the issue. The process involves identifying an existential threat,
specifying referent objectives, and declaring an emergency situation.

The Copenhagen School distinguishes itself by emphasizing the role of language in security issues.
Security is not merely an objective condition but a result of speech acts that shape perceptions and
priorities. The school contends that security is a negative concept, indicating a failure to address issues
through normal politics.

Critics argue that the Copenhagen School's framework is narrative and lacks clear principles for
distinguishing security and non-security issues. The focus on speech act theory and securitization has also
faced criticism for being overly theoretical and detached from real-world applications. The relationship
between the securitizing actor, audience, and speech act remains complex and unclear.

Despite criticisms, the Copenhagen School has significantly contributed to the evolution of security
studies by challenging traditional perspectives and introducing innovative concepts. It remains a crucial
part of the discourse on security, expanding our understanding of how issues are constructed, framed, and
addressed in international relations.

Frankfurt school of thought: Critical theory vs Theory of securitization: