Security concerns of the Baltic States in the twenty-first century

Jurkynas, Mindaugas

doi:10.4324/9781315798042-7

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In terms of threat perceptions, all external respondents (except Expert RU) agree that Russia poses the main threat to Estonia, of little surprise given Estonia's (and generally the Baltic states') historical and geopolitical ties to Russia -Russia has never left Estonia's security agenda (Jurkynas 2014). The external respondents focus primarily on direct threats (military, non-military as well as in hybrid forms) but also indirect dynamics are mentioned, primarily Russia's promotion of a multi-polar international order along Russian lines (Expert DE1, PL).…”

Section: External Perceptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Wrange

Bengtsson

2019

European Security

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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 conceptionsprotectee/faithful ally, subsystem collaborator and regional leader.

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Section: External Perceptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Wrange

Bengtsson

2019

European Security

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“…First, as suggested by Expert 1, there may have been a lack of clear political decisions on which institutions would lead and execute the total defence strategy, particularly involving citizens and private companies 21 . In addition, as Expert 4 claimed, public rhetoric of politicians is insincere 22 , and, as Expert 5 noticed, there is a significant difference between the political statements declared by politicians and unimplemented measures; for example, they talk about what should be but, in reality, too little is being done 23 . Second, as mentioned by Expert 2, bureaucratic procedures and coordination issues among various institutions could have hindered the smooth process.…”

Section: Comparative Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Rhetoric to Reality: Lithuania’s Total Defence Response to Russian Threats

Rogulis

2024

Baltic Journal of Law &Amp; Politics

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This research delves into Lithuania’s response to the perceived threat from Russia and the practical implementation of its total defence approach. Key political figures, including the President, Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, and Chairman of the National Security and Defence Committee, are scrutinized using securitization theory. The study explores how these actors frame total defence as an urgent response to an existential threat and analyses both their discourse and tangible actions from 2020 onwards. Distinct approaches among political figures emerge, with the President prioritizing communication, the Minister of Defence emphasizing tangible improvements, and the Chairman of the NSDC acting as a driving force. Despite increased military spending, the involvement of society in national defence—integral to the total defence strategy—remains limited. Factors contributing to this limitation include unclear leadership, insincere rhetoric, bureaucratic obstacles, and the initial unpreparedness of the Armed Forces to integrate civilians. The study underscores the critical need for genuine commitment and leadership to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in Lithuania’s total defence approach. While politicians employ securitization and public discourse to align with public sentiment and present themselves as problem solvers, the actual progress in engaging the public and the private sector remains limited. The discrepancy between discourse and material implementation suggests that a more substantial commitment is essential for effective societal involvement in national defence, making it clear that symbolic gestures fall short of achieving impactful results in Lithuania’s total defence approach.

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“…The obvious fact about the plethora of definitions of Small states above is that emphasis was based on material factors, such as the size of the state, and by implication, the population of the states. There are also emphasis on the capabilities of states' foreign policy behaviours, military powers, strategic environment and historical organisation in the global system Jurkynas, 2014).…”

Section: Review Of Related Literature the Concepts Of Small States Ve...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Small states, statescraft and the challenges of national security: the case of Guyana

Nte¹,

Lucas²,

Feartherstone³

2022

IRD

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Small states all over the globe have peculiar challenges foisted on them by their meagre population which may make some unviable and inconsequential in the comity of nations. While this can be said to be normatively politically correct, the realities have proven otherwise. Countries like Singapore, Qatar, Oman, Switzerland, etc., have crafted enviable statecraft that positioned them in strategic socioeconomic and political vantage positions. For the Caribbean country of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the quest to succeed as a strong and virile small state has remained daunting due to a lot of intervening internal and external dynamics. This study is therefore poised to evaluate the Guyanese national trajectory towards a sustainable and stable Caribbean nation in the face of precarious post-colonial history, political alliance and nuances of intra and inter-regional influences on a country with great economic and geo-strategic potentials and the contradictions of a small population. In achieving this, the study relied on historical research design which is qualitative and explorative in nature. Study therefore relied extensively on secondary source of data via literature survey of books, reports from dailies and periodicals, government official publications, conference papers, journal publications and internet sources. Study also proffers policy options that can ameliorate the Guyanese post-colonial political challenges occasioned by the precarious colonial experiences, internal and external security challenges.

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Security concerns of the Baltic States in the twenty-first century

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

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

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

From Rhetoric to Reality: Lithuania’s Total Defence Response to Russian Threats

Small states, statescraft and the challenges of national security: the case of Guyana

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