Ontological insecurity and securitization dynamics: the co-constitution of borders between Italy and the EU after the refugee crisis of 2015

Italy plays a performative role in constructing the (Southern) border of the European Union (EU). The actions of Italy affect and are simultaneously affected by the European border and its connotation. Offering an original contribution from International Relations theory, this article looks at how ontological (in)security affects bordering dynamics in a context of recurrent co-constitution between the European Union and the state. Italy is analyzed in this article by looking at the main securitizing narratives, their legitimizing arguments, and matching bordering practices considered adaptive strategies. Methodologically, this article uses primary and secondary sources to retrieve securitization instances throughout three different administrations running the country from 2016 to 2020. It is argued that three bordering exercises have repeatedly surfaced: the definition of Italy’s external borders as equivalent to those of the Union; the expansion of the borders of the EU toward southern Libya; and the demarcation of the borders of its national community through the allowance and/or denial of rights to immigrants already in Italy. They all come imbued with critical consequences for Italy and the EU, which are examined in this work.