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Contesting securitization: Chinese media discourse on the politics and security of outer space

Linden, McKenzie (2024) COSM40 20241
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
The international framework for the regulation of outer space activities that has been in place since the 1960s has come under increasing pressure in recent years. Concerns over the weaponization and militarization of outer space have grown more vocal and attempts to introduce new international agreements have fallen short. Within this context, the present study analyzes Chinese media discourse on the politics of outer space. Drawing on securitization theory, it develops a unique framework for the study of securitizing speech-acts and finds that Chinese media uses securitizing discourse in surprising ways. It is argued that the apparent contradiction between neo-realist predictions of conflict and China’s espoused agenda for the peaceful... (More)
The international framework for the regulation of outer space activities that has been in place since the 1960s has come under increasing pressure in recent years. Concerns over the weaponization and militarization of outer space have grown more vocal and attempts to introduce new international agreements have fallen short. Within this context, the present study analyzes Chinese media discourse on the politics of outer space. Drawing on securitization theory, it develops a unique framework for the study of securitizing speech-acts and finds that Chinese media uses securitizing discourse in surprising ways. It is argued that the apparent contradiction between neo-realist predictions of conflict and China’s espoused agenda for the peaceful use of outer space is contingent on theoretical assumptions about the nature of power. Based on an original dataset and a systematic empirical analysis, it is shown that de-securitizing discourses are most common, that China envisions itself as a leader in the realm of space technology and exploration, and that US policies, alliances, and strategic frameworks are elevated to issues of international security through macro-securitizing discourses. (Less)
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author
Linden, McKenzie
supervisor
organization
course
COSM40 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Securitization, outer space, China, discourse analysis, international relations
language
English
id
9164620
date added to LUP
2024-06-17 13:47:00
date last changed
2024-06-17 13:47:00
@misc{9164620,
  abstract     = {{The international framework for the regulation of outer space activities that has been in place since the 1960s has come under increasing pressure in recent years. Concerns over the weaponization and militarization of outer space have grown more vocal and attempts to introduce new international agreements have fallen short. Within this context, the present study analyzes Chinese media discourse on the politics of outer space. Drawing on securitization theory, it develops a unique framework for the study of securitizing speech-acts and finds that Chinese media uses securitizing discourse in surprising ways. It is argued that the apparent contradiction between neo-realist predictions of conflict and China’s espoused agenda for the peaceful use of outer space is contingent on theoretical assumptions about the nature of power. Based on an original dataset and a systematic empirical analysis, it is shown that de-securitizing discourses are most common, that China envisions itself as a leader in the realm of space technology and exploration, and that US policies, alliances, and strategic frameworks are elevated to issues of international security through macro-securitizing discourses.}},
  author       = {{Linden, McKenzie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Contesting securitization: Chinese media discourse on the politics and security of outer space}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}