Aleš Bučar Ručman

Short Resume

Aleš Bučar Ručman, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, University of Maribor. His research is focused on various forms of deviance and violence, (in)formal social control mechanisms and social solidarity. He reflects on these issues mainly through the analysis of relations between power holders and marginalised groups (e.g. immigrants, and people with disabilities). Currently, he is the head of the international Erasmus+ project With knowledge against bullying, which aims to gain insight into the bullying situation in Slovenia and Croatia and develop culturally specific and efficient evidence-based bullying prevention and early intervention program.

Title of the presentation

Unpacking Security Discourse and Perception of Threats in Western Societies

Abstract

Contemporary Western societies are marked by political divisions, increasing hate, intolerance, and even violence towards people from the other side of the political spectrum. One of the main tools used for the mobilization of political supporters are issues connected to crime, safety, and security. In this power play, many dangers are exaggerated or fabricated to justify actions that would otherwise be unacceptable. At the same time, these actions aim to showcase the strengths of nation-states, which are actually in decline. Rather than addressing the real threats and challenges (such as the dominance of international corporations, rising inequalities, tax evasion, misinformation and disinformation, cyber threats, climate change, rising nationalisms, and racism), sociopolitical discourse often focuses on topics that invoke negative emotions and create divisions between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ This approach frequently leads to moral panic and securitization. The reactions of states towards so-called illegal migrations, ‘bogus’ asylum seekers, and economic migrants serve as clear examples of the exploitation of specific issues for political purposes. Going beyond dominant policies and public discourse, we should consider the roles different countries – with an emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe – play (according to world systems theory) in the current global capitalist system, which de facto depends on international migrations.

Keywords

political divisions, moral panic, securitization, international migration, Central and Eastern Europe