Small‐State Influence in EU Security Governance: Unveiling Latvian Lobbying Against Disinformation
本文通过30次政策制定者访谈，揭示拉脱维亚如何作为先行者，利用欧盟理事会轮值主席国身份，推动欧盟反虚假信息政策发展，为小国影响安全治理提供策略参考。
Abstract Counter‐disinformation policies have become a prominent subject of study in Europe. The story of their early development in the European Union (EU) reveals the surprising influence of small states, in particular Latvia. This article exposes how, as a first mover in a growing coalition of like‐minded states, Latvia shaped the development of counter‐disinformation policies in the EU starting with the creation of the East StratCom Task Force (ESTF) in 2015. This has had a significant impact on the governance of disinformation, providing valuable lessons for the study of small states' influence in the EU. Building on 30 interviews with policy‐makers, this case study demonstrates that utilising the Council Presidency can be a fruitful strategy for small states seeking to make a mark on EU security governance, with a plethora of examples as to how they can get other states and institutions on board, thereby securing long‐lasting leverage.