Lost in Self-Identification? In Search of NATO’s Identity

Justinas Lingevicius

doi:10.22151/politikon.27.5

Authors

Justinas Lingevicius Vilnius University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22151/politikon.27.5

Keywords:

discourse, identity, NATO, post-structuralism, summit, Self – Other

Abstract

The main purpose of the research is to analyze how NATO’s identity is constructed through the discourses from three NATO Summits – Lisbon, Chicago and Wales. The research is based on post-structuralistic theoretical background which emphasizes the role of identity in the context of security policies. To study identity means to analyze discourse. Therefore, the research is based on discourse analysis searching for the meanings relevant to identity construction. The main representations of NATO’s identity discussed include the role of Western values, partnership, threats and challenges, the role in global politics and community building. The research has revealed that an existence of NATO’s self-identification relies on complexity and multidimensionality. One of the main reasons affecting the interaction among different aspects is related with fluster between modern and postmodern security logics. Thus, issues in international area and more or less real threats affect how these representations interact and dominate against each other.

Author Biography

Justinas Lingevicius, Vilnius University

Justinas Lingevicius, 23, from Vilnius (Lithuania), is a graduate who received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences at Vilnius University (VU), Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences (IIRPS), in 2014. He is currently doing his Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy at VU, IIRPS, and working with various academic and social projects. His interests include Security Studies, International Relations Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis, Constructivism and Discourse Analysis etc.