Anthropology of Securitization: Conceptual Foundations and Ethnographic Insights into Human Smuggling

This chapter offers a comprehensive examination of the securitization of migration along the Central Mediterranean Route, presenting both conceptual insights and empirical analysis from an anthropological perspective. Initially, it explores the theoretical contributions anthropology provides in understanding the processes of securitization, emphasizing the discipline’s ability to unpack the complex social and human dimensions underlying security practices. The chapter then transitions into a specific case study on human smuggling, investigating how smugglers are often portrayed as transnational criminal organizations. This empirical analysis challenges prevailing narratives by closely examining the discrepancies between these representations and the realities of smuggling operations. The chapter seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical discourse and empirical realities, enriching the scholarly understanding of migration securitization with nuanced anthropological insights.