Fusing of Security and the Environment: New Euro-Platitude or Latitude?

Abstract: This thesis critically examines the social construction of 'environmental security' in the EU policy making. The main purpose of th thesis is to answer the central question of how the process of fusing security and environmental concerns in the EU's policy-making can be explained; and what are the effects of it. In an attempt to provide some insights into the range and functions of this phenomenon, the study draws on the theoretical basis of social constructivism as well as on the distinct methodology of critical discourse analysis. Two main types of discourse on the 'environmental security' are examined, namely academic discourse in the field of security studies as well as the EU official discourse. The study does not simply refer to the interpretative analysis of discourse but rather it aspires to provide critical explanation of all the effects that have been produced and influenced by the way in which the environmental and security problematique is conceived in the Union. The main argument of the thesis is that the EU pursues security and sustainable strategic policy objectives. Yet, even though this discursive policy process has produced some results in according concrete substance to the environment-security linkage. It remains much to be done to implement the two-way promise of 'environmental security' in terms of policy outputs.