The security liberty dilemma in the case of the war on terrorism : doctoral thesis

Ristevska, Teodora Tea (author), Prezelj, Iztok (mentor)

This dissertation examines the relationship between security and liberty during the war on terrorism, focussing on the United States. It analyses the development of counterterrorism measures from September 11, 2001 to the end of 2022 and examines how national security and individual liberties intersect. The study focuses on the dilemma between security and liberty, which becomes particularly apparent in democratic societies in times of crisis. The lack of comprehensive studies on this topic in the existing literature leads to an examination of the dominant narrative frames that have developed in the United States since 11 September 2001, with the aim of providing deeper insight into public debates on these crucial issues. The study includes an analysis of historical and contemporary views on the relationship between security and liberty, an assessment of the impact of 9/11 on U.S. policy, and narratives in global counterterrorism. It utilises an interpretive methodology combining content analysis, critical review and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The dissertation introduces a new conceptual model and offers a new perspective on the relationship between security and liberty. It categorises the discourse into three approaches: two asymmetrical ones that emphasise either liberty or security, and one symmetrical one that seeks a balanced assessment of both. This allows a detailed analysis of the way societies have treated these two fundamental concepts over time. To improve the understanding of the mechanisms of crisis framing, a sophisticated framing tool is also introduced to analyse narratives in public discourse, especially in times of crisis. This tool uses a multidimensional analytical approach focussing on the strategic reframing of issues and communication with the public, supported by explicit and implicit framing methods. Empirical evidence, drawn from extensive analysis and interviews, shows how the relationship between security and liberty has evolved before and after 11 September 2001, with a focus on the shift from prioritising security to emphasising civil liberties. The dissertation contributes to the understanding of the complex relationship between security and liberty, enriches the academic debate and stimulates further research in the fields of political science and defence and security studies. It provides a solid foundation for future research and policy-making by arguing for a balanced approach that respects and protects both security and liberty.

• Language: English
• Keywords: United States, war on terrorism, human rights, security, liberty, constructivism, framing analysis, terrorism, counterterrorism, Guantanamo Bay, administrative measures
• Work type: Doctoral dissertation
• Typology: 2.08 - Doctoral Dissertation
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: T. T. Ristevska
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 300 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-159279
• UDC: 355.02(73)(043.3)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 202045699
• Publication date in RUL: 05.07.2024

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Dilema med varnostjo in svobodo na primeru vojne proti terorizmu : doktorska disertacija

Abstract

Ta disertacija preučuje razmerje med varnostjo in svobodo med vojno proti terorizmu, s posebnim poudarkom na Združenih državah Amerike. Analizira razvoj protiterorističnih ukrepov od 11. septembra 2001 do konca leta 2022 in preučuje, kako se nacionalna varnost in individualne svoboščine prepletajo. Študija se osredotoča na dilemo med varnostjo in svobodo, ki postane še posebej očitna v demokratičnih družbah v času krize. Pomanjkanje celovitih študij na to temo v obstoječi literaturi vodi k preučevanju prevladujočih narativnih okvirov, ki so se razvili v Združenih državah Amerike od 11. septembra 2001, z namenom zagotavljanja globljega vpogleda v javne razprave o teh ključnih vprašanjih. Študija vključuje analizo zgodovinskih in sodobnih pogledov na razmerje med varnostjo in svobodo. Prav tako vključuje oceno vpliva dogodkov 11. septembra na ameriško politiko in pripovedi v globalnem protiterorizmu. Uporablja interpretativno metodologijo, ki združuje analizo vsebine, kritični pregled in polstrukturirane poglobljene intervjuje. Disertacija uvaja nov konceptualni model in ponuja novo perspektivo na razmerje med varnostjo in svobodo. Diskurz kategorizira v tri pristope: dva asimetrična, ki poudarjata bodisi svobodo bodisi varnost, in en simetričen, ki išče uravnoteženo oceno obeh. To omogoča podrobno analizo načina, kako so družbe sčasoma obravnavale ti dve temeljni koncepti. Za izboljšanje razumevanja mehanizmov kriznega okvirjanja je avtorica razvila tudi sofisticirano orodje za okvirjanje, ki se uporablja za analizo pripovedi v javnem diskurzu, še posebej v času krize. To orodje uporablja večdimenzionalni analitični pristop, osredotočen na strateško preokvirjanje vprašanj in komunikacijo z javnostjo, podprto z eksplicitnimi in implicitnimi metodami okvirjanja. Empirični dokazi, pridobljeni z obsežno analizo in intervjuji, prikazujejo, kako se je razmerje med varnostjo in svobodo razvijalo pred in po 11. septembru 2001, s poudarkom na premiku od dajanja prednosti varnosti k poudarjanju državljanskih svoboščin. Disertacija prispeva k razumevanju kompleksnega razmerja med varnostjo in svobodo, bogati akademsko razpravo in spodbuja nadaljnje raziskave na področjih politične znanosti ter študij obrambe in varnosti. Zagotavlja trdno osnovo za prihodnje raziskave in oblikovanje politik z zagovarjanjem uravnoteženega pristopa, ki spoštuje in ščiti tako varnost kot svobodo.

• Keywords: ZDA, vojna proti terorizmu, človekove pravice, varnost, svoboda, konstruktivizem, analiza okvirjanja, terorizem, boj proti terorizmu, Guantánamo Bay, omejevalni ukrepi