Contesting counter-terrorism: discourse networks and the politicisation of counter-terrorism in Austria

Why do political actors prefer one counter-terrorism policy over another? We apply discourse network analysis and the advocacy coalition framework to the recent debate on counter-terrorism measures in Austria and argue that actors’ positions are based not so much on objective security factors and in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of international relations and development 2021-03, Vol.24 (1), p.171-195
Main Authors: Eder, Franz, Libiseller, Chiara, Schneider, Bernhard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advocacy
Area Studies
Counterterrorism
Development Studies
Discourse
Discourse analysis
Domestic politics
Ideology
International Relations
International security
Network analysis
Original Article
Ownership
Political Science and International Relations
Political Science and International Studies
Terrorism
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Summary:Why do political actors prefer one counter-terrorism policy over another? We apply discourse network analysis and the advocacy coalition framework to the recent debate on counter-terrorism measures in Austria and argue that actors’ positions are based not so much on objective security factors and international or structural causes but on domestic politics and three interdependent variables. Political actors choose specific counter-terrorism policies because of: (1) a sense of ownership; (2) ideology; and (3) anticipated political gains. We show how different actors in Austria exploit the counter-terrorism debate to shield themselves from being blamed for being passive, to promote their ideological views, and/or to gain politically.
ISSN:1408-6980
1581-1980
DOI:10.1057/s41268-020-00187-8