A Convoluted Realm: A Discourse Analysis of Denmark's and Greenland's Communication About the Unity of the Realm and the Governance Relationship Between Them

Abstract

In recent years, the power dynamics of the relationship between Denmark and Greenland within the Unity of the Realm has become increasingly intricate and contentious. Drawing on Laclau and Mouffe’s theory of discourse, this thesis explores how Denmark and Greenland seek to construct the Unity of the Realm
(Rigsfællesskabet) and the governance relationship between them through paradoxical discourses, and what implications this has for their collaboration. This thesis shows that from 2011 to 2022 Denmark has sought to fixate meaning about the Realm through various paradoxical governance discourses that continuously challenge the boundary between Greenland’s autonomy and Denmark’s competence monopoly on the Realm’s foreign, security, and defense policy. In turn, Greenland has sought to construct a paradoxical discursive position for itself as both a subject without influence and an independent actor with its own foreign policy identity from 2019 to 2023. This thesis concludes that the embedded paradoxes in their communication produce a steering pressure that creates ambiguity and conflicts about the boundary between Greenland’s autonomy and Denmark’s monopoly on the Realm’s foreign, security and defense policy. Lastly, based on Teubner’s hybrid model this thesis proposes several recommendations for how the paradoxes and resulting steering pressure can be used as a productive resource to strengthen the collaboration between Denmark and Greenland. The recommendations include making them aware of their own and each other’s paradoxical communication as well as three specific measure that can be taken to enhance their collaboration in the Foreign, Security and Defense Contact Committee.