Temporality, Role Theory and Czech Foreign Policy

Using Symbolic Interaction Theory, George Herbert Mead’s theory of time, and the poststructuralist conceptualization of self-other relationship, Vít Beneš provides an original three-dimensional model of national role conception to analyze Czech political and intellectual elite.

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The domestic political scene in the Czech Republic is rife with competing attitudes towards the European Union. On the one hand, the Czech Republic and her political class pledge allegiance to European values and culture while others question the direction and impact European integration has had. As such, the Czech Republic is sometimes described as an "awkward newcomer", suggesting that the Czech EU policy is often seen as a confusing and incomprehensible mix of pro-European attitudes and Euroscepticism.

Using Symbolic Interaction Theory, George Herbert Mead’s Theory of Time, and the poststructuralist conceptualization of self-other relationship, Vít Beneš provides an original three-dimensional model of national role conception to analyze Czech political and intellectual elite. Beneš does so by examining key political debates including: the entry into the European Union and the 2003 referendum, debate about the adoption of the Lisbon treaty, Eurozone financial and economic crisis and the recent migration crisis. He later compares the Czech Republic’s national conception as a new member country, with national role conceptions of Russia (a neighbouring state) and Turkey (a candidate country).

Temporality, Role Theory and Czech Foreign Policy sheds light on the change and continuity of the Czech EU policy and how role theory can provide a conceptual toolbox that can be utilized in constructivist foreign policy analysis.