The European Union: Technology Narratives and Regulation Beyond the World Wide Web - Towards a Post-Sovereign Digital (Security) Regime: The European Union: Technology Narratives and Regulation Beyond the World Wide Web - Towards a Post-Sovereign Digital (Security) Regime
Translated title
The European Union: Technology Narratives and Regulation Beyond the World Wide Web - Towards a Post-Sovereign Digital (Security) Regime
Author
Andersen, Nicklas Lønborg
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-25
Pages
76
Abstract
This thesis examines how the European Union is building digital sovereignty—the ability to set its own rules, protect data, and reduce dependence on others—as part of a broader push for strategic autonomy in global digital governance. Concerns about reliance on the United States and China motivate this agenda, and the EU seeks to act as a normative power by promoting values-based regulation. Using a constructivist perspective (which highlights the role of ideas and identities), the study analyzes how the EU’s digital sovereignty narrative shapes member state alignment. It considers governance challenges, the development of a European identity, and differences in technological capacity across countries. Through a comparison of Germany, Hungary, and Sweden, the thesis explores how norms spread and how states comply with EU-level frameworks under initiatives such as Gaia-X (data infrastructure), the 5G Security Toolbox (guidance for securing 5G networks), and edge computing (processing data closer to users and devices). Drawing on Normative Power Europe and regime theory, the study argues that success requires more than formal compliance. A coherent EU strategy depends on member states internalizing shared norms and a collective identity. Findings show substantial variation in national implementation, reflecting disparities in digital infrastructure, ideological commitment, and geopolitical alignments. While the EU aims to move beyond traditional nation-state models toward shared, post-sovereign security arrangements, implementation is hindered by fragmented governance and uneven commitment. The thesis contributes to understanding how the EU constructs its identity in digital governance and assesses its viability as a global actor in a contested digital order.
Afhandlingen undersøger, hvordan EU opbygger digital suverænitet – evnen til at fastsætte egne regler, beskytte data og mindske afhængighed af andre – som led i en bredere dagsorden om strategisk autonomi i global digital styring. Bekymringer over afhængighed af USA og Kina driver denne indsats, og EU søger at agere som en normativ magt ved at fremme værdibaseret regulering. Med et konstruktivistisk perspektiv (hvor ideer og identiteter tillægges vægt) analyserer studiet, hvordan EU’s fortælling om digital suverænitet påvirker medlemsstaternes opbakning. Det ser på styringsudfordringer, udviklingen af en europæisk identitet og forskelle i teknologisk kapacitet mellem lande. Gennem en sammenligning af Tyskland, Ungarn og Sverige undersøger afhandlingen, hvordan normer spredes, og hvordan stater efterlever EU-rammer gennem initiativer som Gaia-X (datainfrastruktur), 5G Security Toolbox (vejledning til at sikre 5G-net) og edge computing (databehandling tæt på brugere og enheder). Med Normative Power Europe og regimeteori som teoretiske rammer argumenterer afhandlingen for, at succes kræver mere end formel efterlevelse. En sammenhængende strategi beror på, at medlemsstaterne forankrer fælles normer og en kollektiv identitet. Resultaterne viser betydelig variation i national implementering, som afspejler forskelle i digital infrastruktur, ideologisk engagement og geopolitisk orientering. EU ønsker at gå ud over den klassiske statssuverænitet mod mere delte sikkerhedsordninger, men implementeringen hæmmes af fragmenteret styring og ujævn opbakning. Afhandlingen bidrager til forståelsen af, hvordan EU konstruerer sin identitet i digital styring og afprøver sin levedygtighed som global aktør i en geopolitisk omstridt digital orden.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]