ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews original and second-generation formulations of securitization theory and draws attention to the centrality of audience acceptance. It suggests that incorporating insights from the fear appeal literature helps theorize the types of persuasion techniques that increase audience acceptance and describes the theoretical framework of “security appeal.” Security appeal is a type of persuasion strategy that appeals to an audience’s desire for security. The chapter suggests that the grammar of the securitizing discourse during the Umbrella Movement is essentially a fear appeal used in a security setting. Securitizing actors appealed to audience’s sense of security by depicting the Umbrella Movement as an imminent threat followed by suggestions of protective action that can avert the threat.
