ABSTRACT
This chapter empirically assesses how and in which ways neo-patrimonialism influences securitization processes. While considering the wider West African sub-region, particular attention is focused on Liberia from which a generalisation is made to the sub-region. It demonstrates that in a neo-patrimonial political structure such as we have in West Africa and Liberia specifically, there is no established rule for securitization processes. Secondly, threats are defined by the neo-patrimonial leaders according to their perceptions and regime-defined interests. Thirdly, the emergency measures of securitization are articulated by the patron leader in the pyramidal structure of neo-patrimonial statehood. Finally, the audience which needs to be persuaded to complete the process of securitization often may not be the larger population but the cronies and close allies.
