Mažųjų valstybių švelnioji galia: Lietuvos atvejis ; Small states soft power: the case of lithuania

Abstract

This master's thesis aims to determine what elements of identity are emphasized by Lithuanian leaders in foreign policy discourse to expand their influence by instruments of soft power. The theoretical approach of constructivism allows to look at the efforts of Lithuania's soft power through normative analysis, including identity elements, values and norms. The object of this work is rhetoric of Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė and rhetoric of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. Research covers two periods. The first period is the whole year of 2013 and the second research period starts from April 1, 2019 and ends on April 1, 2020. To achieve the main purpose the following tasks were formulated: 1. To define the efforts of small states to exploit their soft power by distinguishing applied tools; 2. To evaluate identity as a specific instrument of soft power based on the assumptions of constructivist theories; 3. To define Lithuanian identity frames that will be used for the research based on already performed researches; 4. To determine which identity elements and symbols Lithuanian leaders apply to exploit soft power. In order to identify which identity elements Lithuanian leaders apply to exploit soft power the method of qualitative content analysis was chosen. Official speeches, interviews and statements were analyzed in order to determine how Lithuanian identity symbols are revealed. It was discovered that active and cooperative role of Lithuanian identity in the International Relations are mostly declared. It is used to expand the soft power to increase and strengthen its influence and ensuring the security of Lithuania. The analysis revealed an active identity of the state, but elements of passivity were found. Gitanas Nausėda emphasizes that Lithuania is waiting for "historical justice", but does not use identity as a tool of soft power to achieve its goal. Although fragmented efforts are declared, president's rhetoric lacks activity and does not show his own involvement as a foreign policy maker. The analysis revealed the influence of the political leader on Lithuanian identity frames formation. It was discovered that during the presidency of Dalia Grybauskaitė, the identity features of leadership, minority, European values and defense/security became apparent and revealed active, cooperative and mediating characteristics of identity. The identity frames in rhetoric of Dalia Grybauskaitė are purposefully designed to expand Lithuanian soft power: to increase the visibility of the state, to expand the defense capabilities, to reduce Russia's influence in the region. The first half of Gitanas Nausėda presidency showed the emerging features of Lithuania as a continuator of European Union practices and historical memory features. Following the path indicated by the EU can help to develop the soft power purposefully for establishing Lithuania in the field of green energy. On the other hand, the development of historical narrative remains passive, without specific directions for the development of soft power in foreign policy. The analysis revealed that both Lithuanian presidents declare soft power possibilities in a similar way and respond to both internal and external circumstances. However, as political leaders change, identity as a social construct also changes.