Refugees: victims or threats to society? : An analysis of the discourse on the securitization of refugees in the Netherlands

Abstract: This thesis aims to understand how the discourse on the securitization of migration in the Netherlands is constructed and which components establish and shape this linguistic context. More specifically, the role of Dutch politicians in the shaping of the discourse will be investigated by means of an analysis of their questions, answers, and debates as recorded in the parliament. The discourse is further scrutinized by way of seven different categories of perceiving refugees: (1) refugees as opponents to the home regime, (2) as threat to culture, (3) as threat to socio-economic welfare, (4) as hostages in the receiving country, (5) as a threat to security, (6) as a political tool, and (7) as a victim of conflict. More importantly, this research intends to reveal how these different elements are interconnected and, through this, influence the shape and development of the discourse. Moreover, the development of the discourse on the securitization of migration between 2014 and 2017 is analyzed to understand if, how, and to what extent it has changed. This analysis is viewed from a postcolonial angle through which the ‘otherization’ of the refugees and the ‘us versus them’ typology in the Dutch society will be linked to the development of the discourse on the securitization of migration.