The Story of the New European Leader: A Study of Poland's Strategic Narratives in their Quest for Status
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Status-seeking literature offers insights into why states of different sizes act differently and explanations for why a state changes its foreign policy behavior. This thesis contributes to the literature on middle powers’ foreign policy in their status-seeking behavior by studying Poland’s formation of strategic narratives since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It applies a theoretical framework combining strategic narrative and social identity theories to explain and understand Poland’s foreign policy. A narrative analysis of Poland’s statements, speeches, and interviews between February 2022 and August 2023 with regard to the war in Ukraine is carried out. By examining Poland’s foreign policy concerning the invasion of Ukraine, a situation Europe has not experienced since World War II, the aim is to contribute context-specific knowledge within social identity theory and middle powers. The study identified three strategic narratives in Poland’s attempt to enhance its status within Europe, and all identity management strategies were utilized. However, the social creativity strategy is mainly used, as previous research has pointed out about middle powers’ status-seeking behavior. The use of social identity theory contributes to a deeper understanding of middle powers’ foreign policy and the formation of strategic narratives.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 50
Keywords [en]
Foreign policy, status-seeking, social identity theory, strategic narrative, Poland, Middle power
National Category
Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalisation Studies)
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:fhs:diva-12219OAI: oai:DiVA.org:fhs-12219DiVA, id: diva2:1836425
Subject / course
Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security
Educational program
Master's programme in Politics, Security and War
Uppsok
Social and Behavioural Science, Law
Supervisors
Examiners
2024-02-092024-02-082024-02-09Bibliographically approved