Workshop 3: Securing the State: Domestic Agendas
Call for papers
Part of a series of seven workshops being held around the UK in 2008 to 2010, this workshop seeks explore how the state security apparatus is responding, and may respond in the future, to the issue of climate change. Much of the workshop’s focus is expected to be on Britain, although we welcome papers that explore other states and their security apparatuses.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated in 2007 that, ‘most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.’ The report goes on to state that there are great uncertainties about the consequences of climate change, for example, it is ‘likely’ that drought will increase (meaning greater than a 66 per cent change). So, great scientific uncertainty remains over how climate change may affect humanity. However, political elites, security specialists, think tanks, and the military across the globe are now openly considering their ‘security’ responses to climate change. This workshop seeks to examine how states might respond to potential threat of climate change, alternatives to the most obvious military/police responses and the degree to which freedom might be curtailed in consequence.
The conference invites papers from those working in academic disciplines in all areas of the sciences, social sciences and humanities, as well as military analysts, and campaigners, researchers and practitioners from diverse institutional (or independent) backgrounds and perspectives.
Issues the workshop might consider are:
- Whether we can look to recent precedents, (Cold War planning for nuclear threat, as well as for domestic terrorism), as indicators of likely state responses?
- Who or what is emergency planning for?
- Are state planning bodies approaching the issue in a reasoned and meaningful manner?
- What is 'secured' and subordinated when the state perceives itself under threat?
- Is there potential for a ‘new normal’, as has happened in response to jihadist attacks, where the responses considered unacceptable previously become acceptable?
- The potential effect of activist/media activity in causing the state apparatus to create/change policy. Can activists and the media create a heated atmosphere that causes/allows the state to implement policies that limit freedom/liberty?
- The role of policing and peacekeeping in cases of sustained emergency.
- Possible scenarios for disturbances and inter-communal violence, and the potential for state emergency planning to amplify this.
- Can we expect the state’s apparatus to remain neutral?
Proposals for papers (not exceeding 250 words please) should be sent to:
Dr. Damien Short
c/o Marianne McKiggan
Crisis Forum project coordinator.
marianne@crisis-forum.org.uk
Last updated: 11 February 2009 |
