Rethinking Small State Paradigm: Nuclear Pragmatism in Slovakia under the European Green Deal

Abstract

This article argues that the binary of compliance versus resistance does not explain Slovakia’s behaviour, but domestic economic structures, technological capabilities, and geopolitical vulnerabilities characterise its adaptation to European Union (EU) climate commitments. It synthesises small state and securitisation theories, and the empirical findings drawn upon semi-structured elite interviews with representatives from Slovak government institutions, European organisations, industry associations, trade unions, think tanks, and academia show that the 2022 Russian attack on Ukraine has heightened a securitised understanding of climate governance in Slovakia. In this context, the concepts of resilience, energy security, competitiveness, and decarbonisation come to the forefront. The results also indicate that nuclear energy is not only seen as a low-carbon technology and an energy-security instrument but also as a strategic asset, which supports cooperation in the context of EU climate governance, diversification of suppliers, technological continuity, and industrial competitiveness. Thus, nuclear pragmatism emerges as a preference of Slovakia. The article also adds to the debates about the European integration process, EU climate governance, energy security, and the potential for small states.

Keywords

• EU climate governance
• Energy security
• Industrial competitiveness
• Securitisation
• Slovakia

Supporting Institution

This study is funded by National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic for the Support of Mobility of Students, PhD Students, University Teachers, Researchers and Artists, SAIA Grant, n.o., in 2025/2026.

Thanks

Special thanks to Andrej Findor and Martin Hochel for making this study possible.

Küçük Devlet Paradigmasını Yeniden Düşünmek: Avrupa Yeşil Mutabakatı Kapsamında Slovakya’da Nükleer Pragmatizm

Abstract

Bu makale, uyum ve direnç ikiliğinin Slovakya’nın davranışını açıklamadığını, bunun yerine iç ekonomik yapıların, teknolojik yeteneklerin ve jeopolitik kırılganlıkların Avrupa Birliği (AB) iklim taahhütlerine uyumunu karakterize ettiğini savunmaktadır. Küçük devlet ve güvenlikleştirme teorileri sentezlenmekte ve Slovak devlet kurumları, Avrupa örgütleri, sanayi birlikleri, sendikalar, düşünce kuruluşları ve akademiden temsilcilerle yapılan yarı yapılandırılmış elit görüşmelerden elde edilen ampirik bulgular ise, 2022 Rusya’nın Ukrayna’ya saldırısının Slovakya’da iklim yönetimine ilişkin güvenlikleştirilmiş bir anlayışı artırdığını göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda dayanıklılık, enerji güvenliği, rekabet gücü ve karbonsuzlaştırma kavramları ön plana çıkmaktadır. Sonuçlar ayrıca, nükleer enerjinin sadece düşük karbonlu bir teknoloji ve enerji güvenliği aracı olarak değil, aynı zamanda AB iklim yönetimi bağlamında iş birliğini, tedarikçi çeşitlendirmesini, teknolojik sürekliliği ve endüstriyel rekabet gücünü destekleyen stratejik bir varlık olarak da görüldüğüne işaret etmektedir. Bu nedenle, nükleer pragmatizm Slovakya’nın bir tercihi olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Makale ayrıca Avrupa entegrasyon süreci, AB iklim yönetimi, enerji güvenliği ve küçük devletlerin potansiyelleri hakkındaki tartışmalara katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Keywords

• AB iklim yönetimi
• Enerji güvenliği
• Endüstriyel rekabet gücü
• Güvenlikleştirme
• Slovakya

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma 2025/2026 Slovakya Cumhuriyeti Ulusal Burs Programı (Öğrencilerin, Doktora Öğrencilerinin, Üniversite Öğretim Üyelerinin, Araştırmacıların ve Sanatçıların Hareketliliğini Destekleme), SAIA Hibesi tarafından desteklenmiştir.

Thanks

Bu çalışmanın gerçekleşmesindeki katkılarından dolayı Andrej Findor ve Martin Hochel'e özel teşekkürlerimi sunarım.

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