Small‐State Influence in EU Security Governance: Unveiling Latvian Lobbying Against Disinformation

Counter‐disinformation policies have become a prominent subject of study in Europe. The story of their early development in the European Union (EU) reveals the surprising influence of small states, in particular Latvia. This article exposes how, as a first mover in a growing coalition of like‐minded...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of common market studies 2024-11, Vol.62 (6), p.1538-1559
Main Author: Vériter, Sophie L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
CFSP
disinformation
European Union
False information
Governance
Latvia
Lobbying
Policy making
Presidents
Security
Small states
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Summary:Counter‐disinformation policies have become a prominent subject of study in Europe. The story of their early development in the European Union (EU) reveals the surprising influence of small states, in particular Latvia. This article exposes how, as a first mover in a growing coalition of like‐minded states, Latvia shaped the development of counter‐disinformation policies in the EU starting with the creation of the East StratCom Task Force (ESTF) in 2015. This has had a significant impact on the governance of disinformation, providing valuable lessons for the study of small states' influence in the EU. Building on 30 interviews with policy‐makers, this case study demonstrates that utilising the Council Presidency can be a fruitful strategy for small states seeking to make a mark on EU security governance, with a plethora of examples as to how they can get other states and institutions on board, thereby securing long‐lasting leverage.
ISSN:0021-9886
1468-5965
DOI:10.1111/jcms.13601