eu become an effective international actor

• Theme 1: For - political will -> the EU does not act in a coordinated way on foreign policy, in particular on issues of war and peace -> iraq - EU states were unable to reach unanimous agreement, which resulted in inaction (france and germany against an intervention without UN mandate whilst britain and spain in support of US led intervention -> Germany under merkel had consistently been reluctnat in getting involved in conflict partly due to its history, and this entails that it is difficult to reach a consensus -> EU is composed of two great powers which play a large role on the international stage (germany and France) -> neither country is willing to give up their sovereignty on issues of foreign policy - Treaty of amsterdam established the position of the high Representative for foreign policy and while this is an attempt to durther develop the EU foreign policy
• Theme 1: Against

  • issues on human rights, promoting democracy has been effective
  • EU is founded on a core idea of liberal idealism - demonstrated by the EU's neighbourhood policy
  • programme which attempts to stabilise areas surrounding europe and encourage democratic and free market economic reforms
  • successful in the cases of estonia, lithuania, and latvia, all ex communist countries now western style liberal democracies
  • germany's stance against conflict has been changes after russian invasion of ukraine
  • greater chance of consensus on issues of war and peace in future
• Theme 2: For - Economic power

  • EU combined has largest economy globally, with a GDP of approximately $15 trillion
  • very reluctant to use its economic power to its own gain on the international stage
  • evident in EU's reluctance to place sanctions or act against countries such as russia and china despite their human rights abuses being well known
  • china blatantly ignored human rights with their concentration camps for uyghur muslims however EU failed to take action against this
  • liberal premises : believe in pursuing an enlightened policy in building good relations with these countries for peace
• Theme 2: Against

  • action undertaken by EU in response to the ukraine crisis has been very quick and strong
  • germany cancelled the construction of nord stream 2, and economic sanctions against russia put in place
  • $600 billion of russia foreign reserves been frozen and there has been a consensus that it is time to gradually move away from being reliant on russia gas
  • countries with strong historical ties such as italy and hungary supported these sanctions
• Theme 3: For - military

  • strong military and being willing to use it
  • EU does not fulfil this criteria as EU is not a military power nor does it aim to be as founded fo civilian ends
  • EU has no standing army and relies entirely on NATO, meaning security aspects of europe in the hands of america
  • rapid deployment squad but only to deal with emergencies and borrows soldiers from national army
  • macron called for EU military calling NATO 'brain dead' - germany disagrees, could lead to becoming rival power for america
• Theme 3: Against

  • EU has taken on more of a security role
  • EU is more gradually growing into a military power
  • began economic organisation and then slowly expanded into a political power - same may happen with military power
  • France is calling for a EU military like NATO
  • though not labelled as effective international actor, this may change if their military force develops