Blair's Africa: The Politics of Securitization and Fear

Abrahamsen, R. (2005). Blair's Africa: The Politics of Securitization and Fear. Alternatives: Global, Local, Political. 30(1), pp.55-80 RAE2008

Prime Minister Tony Blair has described Africa as a ?scar on the conscience of the world.? This article argues that New Labour's increasing attention to Africa is part of an ongoing securitization of the continent; interactions with Africa are gradually shifting from the category of ?development/humanitarianism? toward a category of ?risk/fear/threat? in the context of the ?war on terrorism.? The securitization of Africa has helped legitimize this ?war on terrorism,? but has very little to offer for Africa's development problems.

Peer reviewed