Spyrydonova K. Theory and practice of the security community - building (on the example of the OSCE).

The thesis considers complex research of conceptual and practical aspects of the security community-building process within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). According to constructivist perceptions, security community is seen as a political formation aimed at preventing conflicts and non-peaceful settlement of disputes between its members. This idea, firstly proposed by K.Deutsch in early 1950s, was caught up by "the Copenhagen school" of international relations in 1990s and later became an inspiration for acting international organizations. Among others, the OSCE in 2010 proclaimed officially its aspiration to achieve such a security community stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Used methodology includes security communities' concept and structural-functional analysis, particularly while qualifying international security communities as a specific form of regional security. Using abovementioned constructivist approach, as well as the neorealist paradigm, the author attempts to combine certain provisions of structural realism and constructivism. Special attention in this context is paid to the key role of common identity, shared values, traditions, norms and trust as social constructs. These methods let the author to analyze the evolution of the OSCE from the ad hoc Conference to a developing security community. They also helped to outline main goals and priorities of the OSCE's security activity on the area of its responsibility. The author identifies separate stages (and sub-phases) of the community-building on the space from Vancouver to Vladivostok. First of these began together with the end of the Cold War when priority to promote democracy, liberal values and the rule of law in Europe was universally recognized. The second stage, covering the period of 1990-1994, is characterized by the ascendance of the organization and creation of the OSCE permanent working organisms and institutions. The third period - from 1994 until now - consolidates the OSCE as international organization and deepens channels of communication between its participants for developing mutual trust and confidence. While analyzing features of the security community building processes within the OSCE, the author defines main prerequisites that has contributed to developing such form of the ensuring regional security stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Among others, the most important ones are: cooperative and inter-dimensional approach to understanding security; inclusive socialization and spread of the common norms and values; mutual influence of the actors on each other; social construction of the mutual trust and confidence via enhancing multilateral security cooperation.