Strategic Narratives in International Relations
Summary
Strategic narratives are purposive constructions of events, actors and values that states, international organisations and non-state actors deploy to shape perceptions, legitimise policies and mobilise support on the global stage. Grounded in theories of discourse and power, this concept emphasises the role of stories—complete with characters, plots and thematic motifs—in steering diplomatic agendas, conflict dynamics and normative debates. Recent scholarship has illuminated how narratives travel across multiple platforms, from high-level speeches and official communiqués to social media and networked news outlets, creating a discursive landscape in which competing accounts vie for prominence. Research has focused on the mechanisms of narrative circulation, the intersection of emotion and reason in persuasive storytelling, and the digital architectures that amplify or constrain particular messages. Strategic narratives have become central to understanding contemporary phenomena such as great-power competition, peacebuilding initiatives, regional integration and climate diplomacy. By analysing narrative frames, emplotment strategies and mythic elements, scholars have charted practical applications for policy-makers, including the design of counter-disinformation campaigns, the crafting of public diplomacy strategies and the mediation of contested identities. This interdisciplinary field draws on discourse analysis, network theory, computational text mining and ethnographic methods to capture how stories underpin global governance, influence audience behaviour and contribute to the production of international order.
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Strategic Narratives in International Relations publication trend
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Technical terms
Strategic narrative: A deliberate story or account constructed by actors to influence international perceptions and policy outcomes.
Emplotment: The process of organising events and actors into a coherent narrative plot that conveys causal relationships and purposes.
Discursive landscape: The network of communication channels and contexts through which narratives circulate and compete for attention.
Narrative frame: A cognitive structure that highlights certain aspects of a story while downplaying others, guiding audience interpretation.
References
- Two and a Half Tales of Europe: How the European Commission Narrates Peoplehood in Migration and Citizenship Policy. JCMS Journal of Common Market Studies (2023).
- A fragile narrative: Transformations and consistency in the Russian representation of the war in Ukraine. Media War & Conflict (2024).
- Peace is possible: The role of strategic narratives in peacebuilding. Media War & Conflict (2023).
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