Multifinality in Ontological Security Theory : A Methodological Framework

Sammanfattning: This thesis problematizes the incomplete understanding of multifinality in ontological security theory. The literature suggests two different interpretations of OST, but the relationship between these has so far received insufficient attention. An understanding of this is necessary in order to widen the theoretical as well as practical range of OST. By conducting a case study of the Chinese pandemic strategy, this thesis presents a methodology for specifying the scope conditions of the transition between the two uses of policy in state-level OS-seeking, and thereby makes a methodological and a theoretical contribution to OST. The theoretical contribution lies with the problematization, as well with the suggested hypotheses. Based on the analysis, it is suggested that the scope conditions of the transition from causal path A to B consists of two main dimensions: “degree of path-dependency” and “rigidity of state-society relations”. The methodological contribution is the suggested operationalization of rigid attachment, and the specification of the process tracing method to address multifinality. More precise operationalizations and better understanding of the scope conditions under which a specific path is better suited to explain a given case are suggested areas of future development.