Insurance metaphore in German political discourse on European integration

Abstract

Since the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in 2013, there have been repeated statements by officials and politicians of the Federal Republic of Germany highlighting cooperation within the structures of the European Union as a kind of "insurance policy" for each member state. This paper examines the use of this term as a metaphor within political rhetoric to illustrate the perceived benefits of EU membership in the context of foreign policy and security challenges. In this sense, the European Union is portrayed as a safety net for its members amidst strained relations with Russia, given that country's role in triggering and shaping the dynamics of the Ukrainian crisis (and beyond). Additionally, the analysis explores the changing perception regarding EU enlargement policy, specifically how it is increasingly viewed as a tool for advancing European security and other political interests. Following a brief overview of the geopolitical nature of the war risk in Ukraine, the paper analyzes statements by German officials, seeking to clarify them through theoretical approaches in international relations (e.g., constructivism, liberal intergovernmentalism, realism) on the one hand, and through technical-conceptual definitions of the term "insurance" and related elements on the other hand.