EU Diplomacy: From Theory to Actor

Topics to be covered in lectures:

* the nature, and national origins, of foreign policy think-tank input

* the disparity in disposable military force between the US and EU and its effect on policy

* the Habermasian concept of 'civilised discourse' in an increasingly brutal world: can we be civilised and influential?

 the current level of staffing, expertise and independence of EU diplomacy

* individual Member States and their diplomatic priorities.

Students will be marked on:

 attendance 10%

* participation in class discussion 40%

* essay - to be determined 50%

Students should read around the subject, through newspapers, periodicals and learned magazines, as well as the set texts.

Reading List

Library ref. Author/Editor Title Page/Chapter

327/.2 Berridge Diplomacy – Theory and Practice Chaps. 1, 7

327/.4 Bretherton The European Union as a Global Actor Chaps 1, 7, 8

327/496/.4 Duke/Jenson Europe Bound pp. 55-86

- Horvath Handbook on the European Union Chaps. 9, 23

(2nd English edition – publication due October/November)

327/.4 Peters A Common Foreign Policy for Europe? pp. 41-76

327/.4 Smith Europe’s Foreign and Security Policy pp.209-238

Week 1

1st lecture - guide to the reading expectations for the course

2nd lecture - Berridge Chapters 1 and 7 – reading

- the functions and possibilities of diplomacy

- the shape and functions of an embassy

3rd lecture - Bretherton – the EU as a global actor – reading

- can a body like the EU be an effective actor?

- US is from Mars, EU from Venus

Week 2

4th lecture - Horvath Chapter 9 – reading

- an international personality through trade and development?

- limits to economic leverage – Iran, Palestine, Balkans

5th lecture - Peters – A Common Foreign Policy for Europe? – reading

- Horvath Chapter 23

- can the EU build a foreign policy?

- are the institutional and psychological constraints too much? Core groups, QMV

6th lecture - Peters, pages 59-76 – reading

- the institutions and their limits

- can the world wait while the EU constructs its CFSP? (Iraq, bilateral actions by UK, France)

Week 3

7th lecture - Duke – lessons for EU conflict management – reading

- the first trial of strength – or the last?

- the seamless web: can the EU develop it?

8th lecture - no new reading but re-read Horvath Chapter 23

- discussion: will the failure/delay in implementing the Constitutional Treaty make a real difference to the development of CFSP?

9th lecture - no new reading but re-read Berridge Chapter 7

- EU diplomacy: a look at EU representation from Member States to Australia via Washington, Africa and Asia

- function of EU missions

- effectiveness of EU diplomats – training, backup, etc.

- the functions of Head Office – mixed signals

Week 4

10th lecture - no new reading

- EU diplomacy: the procedural trap, the experience gap, the horror of war

- why Prodi was right in wanting to scrap the barriers

- the Constitution’s provisions: too little, too late?

11th lecture - no new reading.

- discussion: a new Convention gathers – should you be nominated to represent a Member State, what would you propose for the foreign policy function?

12th lecture - no new reading

- discussion: class input on the course – ideas for improving, extending the topic.