NATO and the collective securitisation of COVID-19

Discourse analysis of the construction of a threat

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31447/38061

Keywords:

NATO, COVID-19, Collective Securitisation, Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This article seeks to analyse NATO’s role as a security actor during the COVID-19 pandemic by studying how the organisation paved the securitising discourse constructing the COVID-19 pandemic as an existential threat between March and May 2020. We correspondingly apply collective securitisation theory in conjunction with discourse analysis of a selection of NATO statements. This enabled observations of an attempt to enlarge nato’s role in the International System, comprising matters beyond high politics and culminating in actions including the coordination of rescue missions for civilians and the usage of scientific means to aid in responding to the pandemic.

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Author Biography

Laura Semblano, Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals

Laura Semblano is a Master’s student in International Security at Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, and holds a Bachelor Degree in International Relations from the University of Minho and a Postgraduate Certificate course in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Situations of Conflict from the Law School of the University of Lisbon. Laura has participated in national conferences like the ‘IDN Jovem’ in 2022. Her research interests include international security, human security, human rights and migration.

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Published

2025-04-16

How to Cite

Pereira, R., & Semblano, L. (2025). NATO and the collective securitisation of COVID-19: Discourse analysis of the construction of a threat. Análise Social , 60(255), e38061. https://doi.org/10.31447/38061

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 255 (2025)

Section

Research Article