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<p>This article introduces <i>symbolic alignment</i> as a governance strategy used by structurally constrained states to position themselves within dominant AI policy frameworks. Operationalised through policy visibility, capacity mismatch, and discursive proximity, it captures cases where normative commitment coexists with limited enforcement capacity. Using Croatia’s 2024 resolution proposal on AI, and comparing it with examples from France, Kenya, and Estonia, the analysis shows how symbolic alignment operates across varied governance contexts. The Croatian case illustrates a high-visibility proposal closely mirroring the EU AI Act’s rhetoric and priorities, yet exceeding national enforcement capacity. Comparative analysis demonstrates that symbolic alignment can enhance visibility and normative positioning, but its long-term value depends on linking such acts to targeted, feasible interventions. For smaller states, symbolic alignment can function as a tactical repertoire, enabling participation in norm-setting, negotiating implementation terms, and, in some cases, transforming legislative defeat into strategic advantage.</p>

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Staging Sovereignty: Symbolic Alignment Strategies in the EU’s AI Periphery

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月24日

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  • Ana Tomičić,
  • Marija Adela Gjorgjioska

摘要

This article introduces symbolic alignment as a governance strategy used by structurally constrained states to position themselves within dominant AI policy frameworks. Operationalised through policy visibility, capacity mismatch, and discursive proximity, it captures cases where normative commitment coexists with limited enforcement capacity. Using Croatia’s 2024 resolution proposal on AI, and comparing it with examples from France, Kenya, and Estonia, the analysis shows how symbolic alignment operates across varied governance contexts. The Croatian case illustrates a high-visibility proposal closely mirroring the EU AI Act’s rhetoric and priorities, yet exceeding national enforcement capacity. Comparative analysis demonstrates that symbolic alignment can enhance visibility and normative positioning, but its long-term value depends on linking such acts to targeted, feasible interventions. For smaller states, symbolic alignment can function as a tactical repertoire, enabling participation in norm-setting, negotiating implementation terms, and, in some cases, transforming legislative defeat into strategic advantage.