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(In)Security and total defence on Gotland: Analysing the framing of Gotland as Sweden’s most strategic island, and the implications for local security and governance

Karlström, Johanna LU (2026) SIMZ11 20261
Master of Science in Global Studies
Abstract
As geopolitical tensions in the Baltic Sea region have intensified in recent years, Gotland has reemerged as a strategically central location for both Sweden and NATO. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the changing security environment has affected more than just Gotland’s military significance. This thesis asks: “How is Gotland constructed as a security issue in public discourse, and how does this construction shape security practices and governance in the local society?”. The study is based on a qualitative single case study design, with data collected from public documents, media articles, and semi-structured interviews with local experts. The analysis applies a WPR-approach and draws on securitization theory, ontological... (More)
As geopolitical tensions in the Baltic Sea region have intensified in recent years, Gotland has reemerged as a strategically central location for both Sweden and NATO. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the changing security environment has affected more than just Gotland’s military significance. This thesis asks: “How is Gotland constructed as a security issue in public discourse, and how does this construction shape security practices and governance in the local society?”. The study is based on a qualitative single case study design, with data collected from public documents, media articles, and semi-structured interviews with local experts. The analysis applies a WPR-approach and draws on securitization theory, ontological security, human security and multi-level governance theory. The results show that Gotland has been constructed as a strategically important territory, in response to perceived existential threats, leading to military and total defence establishments. Top-down and bottom-up total defence initiatives have created increased governmental coordination and communal security-seeking routines. However, existing vulnerabilities in terms of financing, infrastructure, and lack of human security have been exposed. This thesis helps demonstrate how security is more than military defence, and how a place of strategic importance is also a home. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Karlström, Johanna LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ11 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Gotland, Security, Total defense, Rearmament, Governance
language
English
id
9249500
date added to LUP
2026-09-02 15:27:29
date last changed
2026-09-02 15:27:29
@misc{9249500,
  abstract     = {{As geopolitical tensions in the Baltic Sea region have intensified in recent years, Gotland has reemerged as a strategically central location for both Sweden and NATO. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the changing security environment has affected more than just Gotland’s military significance. This thesis asks: “How is Gotland constructed as a security issue in public discourse, and how does this construction shape security practices and governance in the local society?”. The study is based on a qualitative single case study design, with data collected from public documents, media articles, and semi-structured interviews with local experts. The analysis applies a WPR-approach and draws on securitization theory, ontological security, human security and multi-level governance theory. The results show that Gotland has been constructed as a strategically important territory, in response to perceived existential threats, leading to military and total defence establishments. Top-down and bottom-up total defence initiatives have created increased governmental coordination and communal security-seeking routines. However, existing vulnerabilities in terms of financing, infrastructure, and lack of human security have been exposed. This thesis helps demonstrate how security is more than military defence, and how a place of strategic importance is also a home.}},
  author       = {{Karlström, Johanna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{(In)Security and total defence on Gotland: Analysing the framing of Gotland as Sweden’s most strategic island, and the implications for local security and governance}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}