Semiconductors (commonly referred to as “chips”) are small electronic components that are essential in all digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and even cars. The European Union has labeled semiconductors as a security threat due to the EU’s dependency on foreign producers to get access to advanced semiconductors. The thesis examines if the securitization theory can identify a securitizing move made from speech acts released by the EU regarding semiconductors and describe the characteristics of the said move. This securitizing move is identified by examining four criteria; referent object, referent subject, existential threat, and extraordinary measures which are based on the criteria outlined by the securitization theory. This is done through a qualitative content analysis of 17 speech acts from the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Council, and European Parliament covering a time period from 01-01-2021 to 31-12-2023. The results show findings in each of the criteria and a securitizing move can therefore be identified. The move can be described as multifaceted, covering several different areas but the primary theme of the move is based on a presented threat to the economic sector of the EU. The results provide evidence of the possibility of securitizing high-technological multipurpose products like semiconductors. Further research is encouraged to determine whether the targeted audience has accepted or rejected the securitizing move which would conclude if semiconductors can be viewed as securitized.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-530141 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Freyschuss, Edvin |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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