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

ABSTRACT

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 conceptions – protectee/faithful ally, sub-system collaborator and regional leader.

KEYWORDS:

• Small states
• security
• perceptions
• Estonia
• role theory
• image theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Jana Wrange is a PhD candidate at the Department of Political Science. Lund University, Sweden. Her research interests include small state security and defence issues. Her Ph D project concerns international preconditions for Swedish civil defence.

Rikard Bengtsson is Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science. Lund University, Sweden. His research interests and publications focus primarily on the global order, global political economy, European security and EU external relations.

Notes

1 One possible definition to hybrid threats, provided by the European Centre of Excellence Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), is as follows: “the range of methods and activities is wide: influencing information; logistical weaknesses like energy supply pipelines; economic and trade-related blackmail; undermining international institutions by rendering rules ineffective; terrorism or increasing insecurity” (read more on Hybrid CoE’s webpage, https://www.hybridcoe.fi).

2 Author translation of cut from the original interview with the Prime Minister: “Eesti julgeoleku tagab see, et meil on sidus ühiskond; meie kaitsevõime tahe on kõrge; meie patriootlikus kindlasti on tõusuteel; ma arvan, et Eesti kuulumine Euroopa Liitu ja NATOsse on väga oluline garantii ja heidutus.”

3 Having such a large minority could enable Russia to apply a “‘compatriots abroad’ policy” in order to generate tensions, possibly riots, and attract wider attention, as was the case with the Bronze Night in Tallinn in 2007 (Expert LV; Jurkynas 2014). It has been argued, however, that the Russian-speaking minorities only become a security issue for Estonia if they were to be exploited by an external power (Tromer 2006). With that being said, Veebel and Ploom (2016, p. 64) claim that the long-term policy in Estonia to integrate Russian speakers into the society is insufficient and thus leaves them “in the hands of Russia’s state-controlled and heavily propaganda-laden media”.

4 Author translation of cut from the original interview with the Defence Minister: “Siin on oluline rõhutada ka seda, et Eesti, Läti, Leedu kui NATO riigid mängivad meie piirkonnas olulist rolli ka nende riikide osas, kes NATOsse ei kuulu, sellepärast et siia on toodud NATO väed, nad on Läänemere piirkonnas, siin liiguvad NATO laevad, jällegi Läänemere piirkonnas, niiet Balti riikide NATOsse kuulumine on toonud automaatselt juurde niisugust kindlust ja julgeolekut ka kogu piirkonnale tervikuna.”

5 Author translation of cut from the original interview with the Defence Minister: “Meie roll suhetes NATOga, Euroopa Liiduga, USAga, paljude teiste suurriikidega on kindlasit palju tugevam ja aktiivsem võrreldes selle suurusega mis Eestil on pakkuda. Niiet ma usun et meie oleme suuremad kui meie mõõtmed väga paljudes küsimustes ja räägime kaasa paljudes ka globaalsetes julgeolekuteemades.”

6 Author translation of cut from the original interview with the Defence Minister: “Niiet sellesmõttes on Eesti sõjaline võimekus üks tegur selles NATO üldises sõjalisevõimekuste mosaiigis.”