Enemy addiction : archival documents from 13 United States presidential libraries, 1919-2008

Through the lens of policy language, this project examines how perceptions of insecurity are created and maintained, and how depictions of enmity foster public acceptance of threat scenarios and security policy agendas. Specifically, the project investigates the US preoccupation with security threats after the Cold War and how the redefinition of the post-Cold War landscape as dangerous and uncertain has locked the US into perpetuating high-cost security practices - even in times of severe economic crisis.

The project employs a novel multidisciplinary mixed-methods research design that helps to link security discourse to policy formulation, political strategy, and security policy consequences. The project casts new light on persistent and timely concerns in international security, such as the extent to which security policy is a reaction to 'objective' changes in the international structure, the role played by policy language in marginalizing political resistance, and how 'speaking' international security differently changes security policy practices.<br><br>Data record consists of a .docx file and links to external data collections used.