Dangerous Liaisons: Securitization Theory and Schmittian Legacy Filip Ejdus The author is Teaching Associate at the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade Category: Scientific Review UDK: 321.01:141.7 ; 327.56::351.86]:141.7 ; 141.7 Шмит К. Abstract Securitization theory, developed within the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, on several occasions was compared to the political theory set out by Carl Schmitt. His conceptualiza- tion of the political as a domain of exception is similar to under- standing of security in Securitization theory as a domain that breaks with established rules of the game through obtaining legit- imacy for extraordinary measures. The aim of this work is to thoroughly compare the two theoretical arguments and establish their common as well as diverging points. It's main argument is that although Securitization Theory shares certain tematic and narrative similarities with Carl Schmit’s theory, its concept is wider, epistemology different and it reach opposite normative conclusions. Key words: political, security, securitization, realism, social- constructivism, Carl Schmitt * * * “The ability to get to the verge without getting into war is the necessary art. If you cannot master it […] if you are scared to go the brink, you are lost”. This is how John Foster Dulles defined the art of politics and its role in a dreadful game of ensuring col- lective survival. The controversial German jurist and political sci- entist Carl Schmitt went event further than that. According to him, this horrifying limit that divides self from other along the DANGEROUS LIAISONS: SECURITIZATION THEORY AND SCHMITTIAN LEGACY N o 13 · APRIL–JUNE 2009 9 CARL SCHMITT AND COPENHAGEN SCHOOL OF SECURITY STUDIES