Evolution of the “digital sovereignty” concept in the EU: constants and dichotomies

Abstract

The EU has recently actively discussed the concept of ‘digital (technological) sovereignty’. The goal of this article is to identify key trends in the EU’s discourse on digital sovereignty and to determine how the EU has evolved as an actor. Theoretically the article is based on critical geopolitics. A discourse analysis of the EU’s documents and speeches of its representatives was made. The analysis has demonstrated three constants which include the emphasis on values, development of the internal market and leadership aspirations. The study also identified five dichotomies: naivety - geopolitics, interdependence - dependence, openness - closeness / protectionism, market / competition - state intervention, sovereignty through rules - sovereignty through material production. It has been revealed how the EU tries to reconcile its classical power instruments (emphasis on interdependence, cooperation, universal promotion of values and norms) and greater autonomy, demanded by its perception of today’s world. Although the texts remain ambiguous, the Westphalian sovereignty dominates. It means the EU’s refusal to promote the universal values and norms, harsher order-drawing, further consolidation of its internal space, narrowing of cooperation to like-minded countries. The EU thus departs from the classical elements of its power and influence in the world. This trend is very strong in the digital sphere but is not limited to the latter.