During national crises, political leaders give meaning by interpreting events for the public. This provides the political legitimacy needed to confront the crisis and contributes to the shaping of national identity. Although such discourse contains a moral dimension, it would be primarily nationalism and religion that resonate with a broad audience. However, these latter categories also bear an exclusionary character, making their use potentially problematic in pluralistic societies. In light of the resurgence of nationalist and religious sentiments across European societies, the question arises: how do political leaders construct meaning in times of crisis?
Ontological Security Theory posits that crises generate societal tension because they challenge the national identity. Political leaders reduce this tension by interpreting crises and give meaning to them. This thesis argues that morality, alongside nationalism and religion, can also serve as a source of...
Show moreDuring national crises, political leaders give meaning by interpreting events for the public. This provides the political legitimacy needed to confront the crisis and contributes to the shaping of national identity. Although such discourse contains a moral dimension, it would be primarily nationalism and religion that resonate with a broad audience. However, these latter categories also bear an exclusionary character, making their use potentially problematic in pluralistic societies. In light of the resurgence of nationalist and religious sentiments across European societies, the question arises: how do political leaders construct meaning in times of crisis?
Ontological Security Theory posits that crises generate societal tension because they challenge the national identity. Political leaders reduce this tension by interpreting crises and give meaning to them. This thesis argues that morality, alongside nationalism and religion, can also serve as a source of meaning. It therefore addresses the following research question: how is moralistic discourse used by political leaders to create ontological security?
This theoretical argument is tested empirically through content analyses of public statements made by political leaders in two case studies. In each case, a five-year period is examined for indicators of moralistic, nationalist, and religious discourse. In addition, dozens of political leaders and their close advisers were interviewed. This provides insight into the use of discourse, its consistency, and the underlying motivations behind it.
From a scholarly perspective, this thesis provides insight into the role of moralistic discourse and the interaction between moralist, nationalist, and religious discourse in addressing crisis. In doing so, it contributes to the literature on ontological security and resilience, while also making new empirical data available. From a societal perspective, the thesis offers policymakers an analytical framework for interpreting the belief systems of other states and provides insight into how the state's use of power is legitimised.
The case studies examine the Dutch response to the downing of flight MH17 (2014–2019) and the Belgian response to the attacks in Zaventem and Maalbeek (2016–2021). Although both Western European states faced crises, the nature of these crises differed: one was international in scope, while the other was domestic. The cases are analysed chronologically, incorporating insights from the interviews.
The findings demonstrate that moralist discourse was used most consistent and frequently form of discourse in both cases to restore ontological security. Morality was employed to articulate the desired conditions on behalf of society, regardless of the audience or context. Nationalist discourse was used to emphasise collectivity, but its application varied depending on the audience. At the national level, collectivity was emphasised during the acute phase of the crisis and subsequently only at significant social milestones. Internationally, this discourse was applied consistently to keep the topic on the international political agenda. Religious discourse played no structural role in either case. In the Belgian case, this discourse was deliberately avoided in order to prevent societal tensions.
Lastly, this thesis demonstrates that discourse construction is highly dependent on improvisation and takes place among political leaders and a small number of advisers. In doing so, they rely on frameworks derived from their own socialisation within society. As a result, existing interpretations of national identity are reproduced, making change more difficult. Therefore, the national discourse through which a crisis is given meaning simultaneously reflects the deeply rooted interpretations of national identity.
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