Description
What is the role of the European Union in the world? How do national foreign policies relate to the EU’s foreign policy? Are member states still able to conduct their own ‘sovereign’ foreign policy? The European Union has by now been broadly acknowledged as an international actor, even though an unusual one. There is no ‘government’, which could define the ‘national interest’ and make executive decisions about the policy goals. Instead, we have a complex institutional set-up, based on a compromise and agreement from all 27 member states. As far as the EU’s strong position in the area of trade or development is rarely questioned, it is still believed to be “punching below its weight” in foreign and security policies.
In this elective course, we will study the foreign policy and, more broadly understood external relations, of the European Union and its member states. We will investigate the process in which the European position is established and the circumstances under which EU member states are able to speak with one voice and when is it difficult to agree on a common goal. The course also includes a simulation game on the EU coordination process in the case of human rights.
The course helps to prepare students who consider a career in diplomacy, international institutions, development and NGOs, but also international business, where understanding of the EU is often essential.
Method of Instruction
Interactive seminars.
Study Material
Christopher Hill, Michael Smith and Sophie Vanhoonacker (eds.) (2017). International Relations and the European Union, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press.
- other assigned material per session
Assessment Method
Assignments.
Registration
See 'Practical Information'