The European Union's fight against terrorism:: Discourse, policies, identity

This study examines the language of the European Union's (EU) response to the threat of terrorism. Since its re-emergence in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the 'fight against terrorism' has come to represent a priority area of action for the EU. Drawing on interpretive approaches to International Relations a discourse theory of identity and counter-terrorism policy is outlined. Importantly, it shows how the 'fight against terrorism' structures the EU's response through the prism of identity, drawing our attention to the various 'others' that have come to form the target of EU's counter-terrorism policy. Through an extensive analysis of the wider societal impact of the 'fight against terrorism' discourse, the various ways in which this policy is contributing to the 'securitisation' of social and political life within Europe are revealed. It will be of great interest to academics, students, area studies experts and policy-makers studying International Relations, Security Studies, Critical Security Studies, Terrorism Studies, Critical Terrorism Studies or EU Politics.