Research Papers

In the past 20 years, organised crime has shifted from being an issue of little, or no concern, to being considered one of the key security threats facing the European Union, the economic and political fabric of its society and its citizens. This article proposes to analyse how organised crime has come to be understood as such a serious security threat, through the lenses of Securitization Theory. Building on the recent literature that argues that this theoretical framework has become divided into different approaches, this articles wishes to contrast two alternative views of how a security problem comes into being. The purpose of this exercise is to contribute to the further development of Securitization Theory by pointing out that the choice in approach bears direct consequences on the way the case- study is developed and on reaching a conclusion regarding the successful character of a securitization process. Starting from a reflection on applicability of Securitization Theory to this case- study, the article proceeds with applying a 'linguistic approach' to the case- study, which it then contrasts with a 'sociological approach'. By pointing out that the former's focus on language can lead to relevant elements to be overseen, it argues that this case- study benefits from a 'sociological approach', which renders resistance elements to the securitization process visible.