The Securitizing Myth

Abstract

While research on national myths and security is abundant, existing literature has seldom directly linked these two concepts. This thesis fills this caveat, as it explains the critical connection between national myths and security by combining them within the academically widely used Securitization Theory, adjusting this theory by positing that national myths can be used as a securitizing tool, i.e. a tool that is used to frame the narrative around which a particular group is securitized. This is done by examining the usage of the Serbian national myth, called the Kosovo myth, by the Serbian government and prominent Serbian political figure Slobodan Milošević to securitize the Kosovar Serbs before and during the Yugoslav wars (1986-2001). In addition to contributing to the academic debate on national myths and securitization, this thesis also seeks to enrich the existing literature on the Kosovo myth, which lacks a comprehensive overview of its use during the Yugoslav wars, especially in Kosovo. This thesis accomplishes this by researching several primary sources that were used as instruments to aid Milošević and the Serbian government in their securitization of the Kosovar Serbs. These sources include film, academic/historical memoranda, poetry, historical textbooks for Serbian teenagers, and public appearances such as speeches. Ultimately, this thesis argues that the Kosovo myth played a fundamental role in the securitization of the Kosovar Serbs between 1986 and 2001, as it was used to link shared historical experiences of the Serbs to the contemporary problems in Kosovo, thereby trying to convince a relevant Serbian audience that the measures taken against Albanians in Kosovo were legitimate.