Human Security on/off the Agenda? A Framing Analysis of NATO’s Security Discourse From 1999 Until 2022
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This thesis aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how and to what extent, NATO frames human security notions through its security discourse. The study seeks to shed light on the relevance of the concept of human security within NATO’s security discourse considering the recent events in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where scholars predict a return of realist approaches. The framing of human security notions in NATO’s security discourses is analysed with a theoretical framework on critical human security, from the 1990s when the concept of human security was first developed. The analysis consists of a frame analysis of NATO’s three latest Strategic Concepts from 1999, 2010 and 2022 as well as official statements made by the Secretary Generals during the selected periods. NATO’s framing of human security issues is analysed in line with the selected frames’ perceived threat, means to obtain security and referent object. The analysis concludes that NATO’s framing of human security notions evolved in line with how NATO perceived the security climate. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 led to more traditional security approaches within NATO’s security discourse. Nevertheless, NATO’s framing of human security was not overshadowed by the changing security climate but rather adapted to it.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 54
Keywords [en]
human security, nato, realism, neorealism, critical security studies, critical human security, strategic concept, strategic concepts
National Category
Political Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:fhs:diva-12307OAI: oai:DiVA.org:fhs-12307DiVA, id: diva2:1844453
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
2024-03-142024-03-132024-03-14Bibliographically approved