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Internal and external perceptions of small state security: the case of Estonia

Wrange, Jana LU and Bengtsson, Rikard LU orcid (2019) In European Security 28(4). p.449-472
Abstract
This article concerns small state security from a cognitive perspective and investigates Estonia as a security actor as perceived by all littoral Baltic Sea states. Drawing on unique elite survey and interview data, the article unpacks similarities and differences among internal (Estonian) and external perceptions of security, threats, and capabilities. The investigation is theoretically informed by research on perceptions, specifically image theory and role theory. Our analysis indicates that there are generally speaking quite similar perceptions among internal and external respondents regarding Estonia’s security situation, threat context, and the importance of EU and NATO membership. When it comes to capabilities in the security field,... (More)
This article concerns small state security from a cognitive perspective and investigates Estonia as a security actor as perceived by all littoral Baltic Sea states. Drawing on unique elite survey and interview data, the article unpacks similarities and differences among internal (Estonian) and external perceptions of security, threats, and capabilities. The investigation is theoretically informed by research on perceptions, specifically image theory and role theory. Our analysis indicates that there are generally speaking quite similar perceptions among internal and external respondents regarding Estonia’s security situation, threat context, and the importance of EU and NATO membership. When it comes to capabilities in the security field, Estonian respondents have a somewhat more positive view than external respondents. Notably, Russian perceptions stand in stark contrast to those of others regarding most dimensions. Relating our results to previous research on national role conceptions, the perceptions we have explicated correspond to three distinct role conceptions – protectee/faithful ally, sub-system collaborator and regional leader. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Small States, Security, Perceptions, Estonia, Role Theory, Image Theory
in
European Security
volume
28
issue
4
pages
449 - 472
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85092249814
ISSN
1746-1545
DOI
10.1080/09662839.2019.1665517
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
131369f2-2c38-4c1f-abdd-97eace7bfa3c
date added to LUP
2020-01-15 20:41:14
date last changed
2024-04-24 11:42:16
@article{131369f2-2c38-4c1f-abdd-97eace7bfa3c,
  abstract     = {{This article concerns small state security from a cognitive perspective and investigates Estonia as a security actor as perceived by all littoral Baltic Sea states. Drawing on unique elite survey and interview data, the article unpacks similarities and differences among internal (Estonian) and external perceptions of security, threats, and capabilities. The investigation is theoretically informed by research on perceptions, specifically image theory and role theory. Our analysis indicates that there are generally speaking quite similar perceptions among internal and external respondents regarding Estonia’s security situation, threat context, and the importance of EU and NATO membership. When it comes to capabilities in the security field, Estonian respondents have a somewhat more positive view than external respondents. Notably, Russian perceptions stand in stark contrast to those of others regarding most dimensions. Relating our results to previous research on national role conceptions, the perceptions we have explicated correspond to three distinct role conceptions – protectee/faithful ally, sub-system collaborator and regional leader.}},
  author       = {{Wrange, Jana and Bengtsson, Rikard}},
  issn         = {{1746-1545}},
  keywords     = {{Small States; Security; Perceptions; Estonia; Role Theory; Image Theory}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{449--472}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{European Security}},
  title        = {{Internal and external perceptions of small state security: the case of Estonia}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2019.1665517}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/09662839.2019.1665517}},
  volume       = {{28}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}