Beata Kamila Maczka (DE-)SECURITIZING EAST POLISH DISCOURSE ON EASTERN PARTNERSHIP University of Tampere Department of Political Science and International Relations International School of Social Sciences Master in European Studies: Europeanization of Politics and Governance International Politics Master’s Thesis May 2010 University of Tampere Department of Political Science and International Relations International School of Social Sciences MACZKA, BEATA KAMILA: (De-) Securitizing East - Polish Discourse on Eastern Dimension Master’s Thesis, 102 pages Master in European Studies: Europeanization of Politics and Governance International Relations May 2010 Abstract The subject of this thesis is Polish discourse concerning the Eastern Partnership. The subject creates an opportunity to analyze security policy under current geopolitical conditions in the context of Poland’s membership in the EU. Polish literature concerning eastern issues is dominated by classical geopolitical thinking and numerous references to grand narratives. Therefore, the study explores the critical geopolitics theoretical approach. The theory provides a tool for understanding how identity, security discourses and geographical reasoning are being constructed. Security issues, especially those concerning Russia, are in Polish literature and public debates discussed by means of political realism, i.e. a fight over dominance, a sense of threat, and the need of power maximization. The aim of this thesis is to analyze arguments, which are used in Poland to justify the development of the Eastern Partnership Project. Relying on extensive studies on Estonia’s situation, I want to follow through correlations between geopolitics and identity and its influence on Poland’s perception of Polish and European security. The aim of the thesis was to show the construction of threats in Poland. I will try to answer the question of whether Polish discourse is actually as uniform as it is seen outside Poland, i.e. whether it is only dominated by references to grand narratives and hostile rhetoric. The thesis applies the methodology of the Copenhagen School, which argues that by talking security an actor aims to move a topic away from conventional politics and legitimatize extraordinary means to be used against the constructed threat. The thesis examines how Poland securitizes and desecuritizes its relations with eastern neighbours and what are the consequences of such movements. Key words: identity, security, Eastern Partnership, ENP, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus II Acknowledgements I would like to thank sincerely all the professors and administrative staff of the International School of Social Sciences for their help, support and patience during the Master Programme. I am particularly grateful to my supervisor Pami Aalto for all his guidance, time and contribution. His remarks were crucial for the finalization of this thesis. I would like to thank all the professors and staff at the International School of Social Sciences for organising and coordinating the programme. I would particularly like to acknowledge professors Jyrki Käkönen and Tapio Raunio for their active support. Marjo Ritala, Leena Wilkman and Eveliina Permi provided us always with all the necessary administrative support. I am very grateful to my colleagues – the other members of the M.A Programme. It was inspiring to study in such an international and diversified group. The atmosphere has always been a perfect source of motivation. This thesis owes very much to my boyfriend Hannes who took the time to proofread it and helped iron out many mistakes. Big and sincere Thank You belongs to Angel, Magda and Umit whose friendship and support I deeply appreciate ‐ You kept me on the track striving for the finish line and provided me with vast amounts of motivation on the way. Kiitos to Heli Lehikoinen who has been my Finnish mom for the last four years, at times your support has been invaluable. Finally, I am wholeheartedly grateful to my dear parents and brother for their unconditional love and constant faith in me. III Acronyms CBOS Centrum Badania Opini Spolecznej CFSP Common Foreign Security Policy CG Critical Geopolitics CS Copenhagen School ES Eastern Dimension ENP European Neighbourhood Policy EP Eastern Partnership ESDP European Security and Defence Policy ESS European Security Strategy EU European Union GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development IR International Relations NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization ND Northern dimension OSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe PAP Polska Agencja Prasowa PiS Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc PM Prime Minister PO Platforma Obywatelska PSL Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe SLD Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej TACIS Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States UN United Nations WTO Warsaw Treaty Organization IV Contents Abstract..............................................................................................................................................II Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... III CHAPTER 1: Introduction...............................................................................................................1 1.1. Background ...............................................................................................................................1 1.2. Object of research .....................................................................................................................4 1.3. Previous research ......................................................................................................................6 1.4. The outline of the study ..........................................................................................................12 CHAPTER 2: Theoretical Outline .................................................................................................15 2.1. Justification of the theory choice ............................................................................................15 2.2. Geopolitical theory..................................................................................................................17 2.3. Geopolitics: general overview ................................................................................................17 2.4. Geopolitics - origins of the term .............................................................................................18 2.5. Critical geopolitics ..................................................................................................................22 2.5.1. ‘Critical geopolitics’ – The new constructionist approach ..............................................24 2.5.2. Identity/Culture/Security..................................................................................................25 2.5.3. Critical Geopolitics and Agency......................................................................................27 CHAPTER 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................29 3.1. The construction of security....................................................................................................29 3.2. Copenhagen School.................................................................................................................30 3.3. Securitization Theory..............................................................................................................31 3.4. Securitization Theory - Ethical criticism ................................................................................34 3.5. Limitations and potential problems.........................................................................................35 3.6. Materials..................................................................................................................................36 CHAPTER 4: Geopolitical Reasoning of Polish Eastern Policy..................................................38 4.1. Geopolitical revolution of ‘89 – Implications for Poland.......................................................38 4.2. Eastern policy after ‘89...........................................................................................................39 4.3. Cultural roots of the Polish geopolitical thought ....................................................................42 4.4. Security and Polish national interests puzzle..........................................................................43 4.5. Poland’s Eastern doctrine........................................................................................................44 4.6. Geopolitics of regional leadership ..........................................................................................46 4.7. Security/Identity/History.........................................................................................................48 4.7.1. Us and them & friends and foes.......................................................................................48 4.7.2. Russia-energy blackmailer, Ukraine energy ally .............................................................51 4.7.3. Successful securitization and deeply rooted perception ..................................................52 4.7.4. History or historical policy?.............................................................................................55 CHAPTER 5: Materializing EU Membership ..............................................................................58