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“Som européer är vi starka” – förlåt, vad sa du?: Ursula von der Leyens konstruktion av en europeisk identitet som ett säkerhetspolitiskt verktyg

Rantzow, Frida LU and Pårup, Morten Meo Johan LU (2026) STVK04 20261
Department of Political Science
Abstract
When Europe speaks of security, it speaks of itself. The increased security threats posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and American protectionism has changed the geopolitical context of the European Union, which seems to have increased EU officials’ emphasis on a European identity in political speeches. Consequently, this thesis sought to investigate the link between security threats and European identity in speeches by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen between 2019 and 2025, in order to gain insights about the instrumental use of a European identity for political legitimization purposes. Drawing on theories of European identity, security and securitization, and employing qualitative content analysis of speeches... (More)
When Europe speaks of security, it speaks of itself. The increased security threats posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and American protectionism has changed the geopolitical context of the European Union, which seems to have increased EU officials’ emphasis on a European identity in political speeches. Consequently, this thesis sought to investigate the link between security threats and European identity in speeches by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen between 2019 and 2025, in order to gain insights about the instrumental use of a European identity for political legitimization purposes. Drawing on theories of European identity, security and securitization, and employing qualitative content analysis of speeches given by von der Leyen throughout said time period, the study found an increased use of European identity in connection to proposed joint action security policy. European identity seems to be strengthened in contrast to security threats which are Othered. Consequently, European identity becomes more than a rhetorical reference point; it functions as a political instrument through which security policies and expanded EU-level governance can be legitimized. Ultimately, the thesis argues that von der Leyen’s rhetoric turns European identity into a condition for political action: Europe belongs together, therefore Europe must act together. (Less)
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author
Rantzow, Frida LU and Pårup, Morten Meo Johan LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20261
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
European Union (EU), European identity, Ursula von der Leyen, Security, Securitization
language
Swedish
id
9226639
date added to LUP
2026-06-16 11:17:56
date last changed
2026-06-16 11:17:56
@misc{9226639,
  abstract     = {{When Europe speaks of security, it speaks of itself. The increased security threats posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and American protectionism has changed the geopolitical context of the European Union, which seems to have increased EU officials’ emphasis on a European identity in political speeches. Consequently, this thesis sought to investigate the link between security threats and European identity in speeches by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen between 2019 and 2025, in order to gain insights about the instrumental use of a European identity for political legitimization purposes. Drawing on theories of European identity, security and securitization, and employing qualitative content analysis of speeches given by von der Leyen throughout said time period, the study found an increased use of European identity in connection to proposed joint action security policy. European identity seems to be strengthened in contrast to security threats which are Othered. Consequently, European identity becomes more than a rhetorical reference point; it functions as a political instrument through which security policies and expanded EU-level governance can be legitimized. Ultimately, the thesis argues that von der Leyen’s rhetoric turns European identity into a condition for political action: Europe belongs together, therefore Europe must act together.}},
  author       = {{Rantzow, Frida and Pårup, Morten Meo Johan}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“Som européer är vi starka” – förlåt, vad sa du?: Ursula von der Leyens konstruktion av en europeisk identitet som ett säkerhetspolitiskt verktyg}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}