Fighting terrorism at the local level: the European Union, radicalisation prevention and the negotiation of subsidiarity

In this article, we investigate how the EU mobilises a spatio-temporal imaginary of “local” in its counter-radicalisation activities as means navigating subsidiarity principles and expanding remit “holistic security actor” (cf. Baker-Beall [2016]. The European Union’s fight against terrorism: discourse, policies, identity. Manchester: Manchester University Press). Extant work on EU’s terrorism prevention efforts has focused organisation constructs transnational terror threats that require supranational, EU-level responses. Our research makes an original contribution to these literatures by demonstrating also seeks intervene “below” level nation state. works directly with subnational actors municipalities, cities, frontline public services across Member States. Employing first systematic analysis Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) outputs, demonstrate “the local” frames pre-emptive counter-terrorism interventions “upstream”. “Closer”, or “localised”, reads “earlier” discourse. We unpack institutions States have voiced concerns about circumvention (through engagement local Union), criticising “effectiveness” RAN. While Commission taken steps towards addressing grievances, proposals reflect further renegotiation repositioning “facilitator” spaces deemed simultaneously transnational.