This master's thesis examines state identity as an instrument of diplomatic engagement in international relations, through the case of the Republic of Croatia between 1991 and 1995. It draws on the constructivist theory of international relations, which understands identity as a socially constructed and dynamic concept established through practices, discourses, and interactions with other actors, and connects it with the concept of soft power, through which identity becomes a diplomatic resource that allows a state to influence others without coercion. Drawing on a review of the literature, the thesis develops an original analytical model of the elements of state identity. The model is then tested on a case study of three speeches delivered by the first Croatian president, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, before the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, 1993, and 1995, analysed through content analysis and Dell Hymes' SPEAKING model. The analysis reveals that the elements of the static pillar remained consistent across all three speeches, while the flexible pillar shifted rapidly in line with Croatia's evolving position, transitioning from a supplicant seeking recognition to a critic of international mechanisms, and ultimately becoming a co-creator of a vision for the future international order. On this basis, the thesis identifies four interwoven forms in which identity appears in diplomatic practice: as a source of the right to existence and international recognition, as a relation to the Other and the ascription of roles, as a commitment to norms and values, and as an adaptable diplomatic tool.
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