Traditioner, oberoende & Eurasianism - En diskursanalys av Rysslands identitet i skapandet av den Eurasiska Europeiska Unionen

Sammanfattning: Identity. A widely discussed subject analyzed in this thesis. The intent of the thesis is to perform a discourse analysis of how Russian identity is constructed and how it transforms in time. This is realized by utilizing the theories and deconstructing methods by Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe. In addition Laclau, Mouffe and Slavoj Žižeks related theories on construction of political identities is used in order to achieve a wider perspective. The deconstruction of the identity is based on several speeches and interviews given by Eurasian Economic Commission Chairman Viktor Christenko and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. In order to map out a transformation in the discourse, the discourse is analyzed in two different steps. First the early time period when the Eurasian Economic Union is proposed, the second when the EAEU is being implemented. The conclusion of the thesis is that the Russian construction of the identity is based around the concepts of self-sufficing, pragmatism, equivalence, traditional values and openness, just to name a few. The observed transition in the Russian identity is mainly based on the perceived notion of being excluded by western states and spheres of influence, most notably by the European Union. Keywords: Rysk, Ryssland, diskursteori, identitet, EAEU, Laclau, Mouffe, Žižek