The elusive quest for security continues - The European Union's foreign policy and it's implications to transatlantic relations

Table of Contents

I Introduction

1.1 Object of research and structure

1.2 Main questions

1.3 Method

II General definitions and theory

2.1 Security and the concept of the state

2.2 The international state system

2.3 Global and regional institutions in the security domain

2.4 Security strategies

2.5 Security and integration: the political idea of a community

III The elusive quest for security in Europe

3.1 Realist and liberal conceptions of security

3.1.1 A realist rationality

3.1.2 A liberal argument in a post Cold War era

3.1.3 The theory of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism

3.2 Towards a European cooperation in political matters

3.2.1 From EPC to a CFSP

3.2.2 From Maastricht to Nice

3.3 Institutionalization processes

3.3.1 Major motivation for a CFSP

3.3.2 A European Common Foreign and Security Policy

3.3.3 Structure of the CFSP and the legal background

3.3.4 Development and evolution of the ESDP

3.4 The legal framework of the EU – legal personality disputes

IV Security challenges and transatlantic relations

4.1 CFSP’s structural (institutional) deficits

4.2 Transatlantic relations and security approches

4.3 European defense: a vain endeavor?

4.4 The European Union as a global actor – ESDP missions

4.5 Regional or global power? A segmentary analysis

V Concluding remarks and outlook

Objectives and Core Themes

This thesis examines the European Union's foreign policy development and its impact on transatlantic relations. It explores the EU's ongoing quest to establish itself as a coherent and effective global political and military player while navigating the complex, often paradoxical, reliance on the United States and the Atlantic Alliance for essential security capabilities.

• Theoretical frameworks of security (Realism and Liberalism) in the international state system.
• The institutional evolution and functional deficits of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
• The interdependence between European military autonomy and the necessity of the transatlantic security partnership.
• A segmentary analysis of global power dynamics, comparing the EU, the U.S., and Japan.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I Introduction: This chapter outlines the research objectives, the central hypothesis regarding Europe's transition to a global player, and the methodological approach.

II General definitions and theory: It provides a foundational overview of core concepts like state security, the international state system, and the nature of security strategies.

III The elusive quest for security in Europe: This section investigates security theories (Realism and Liberalism) and traces the institutional evolution of the EU's foreign and security policies.

IV Security challenges and transatlantic relations: The chapter analyzes structural deficits within the CFSP and the complexities of the transatlantic security partnership, including capability gaps.

V Concluding remarks and outlook: This final chapter synthesizes the findings and reinforces the argument that continued cooperation with the United States remains vital for European security.

Keywords

European Union, CFSP, ESDP, Transatlantic Relations, Security Strategy, Realism, Liberalism, Sovereignty, Global Power, Institutionalization, Interdependence, Military Capabilities, NATO, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The work examines the development of the European Union's foreign policy and its practical implications for transatlantic relations.

What are the central thematic fields?

The thesis focuses on security theory, European political integration, the institutional structure of the CFSP/ESDP, and the balance of power between the EU, the U.S., and Japan.

What is the main research question?

The study investigates whether the European Union can evolve into a major, autonomous global player while acknowledging that transatlantic cooperation remains fundamentally necessary.

Which scientific method is utilized?

The research adopts an interdisciplinary political science approach, utilizing historical-political analysis, international relations theory, and economic analysis to evaluate the EU's foreign policy trajectory.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main sections analyze security definitions, the realist and liberal interpretations of European integration, the institutional evolution of the CFSP, and current security challenges concerning transatlantic relations.

Which keywords characterize this study?

Key terms include European Union, CFSP, ESDP, Transatlantic Relations, Security Strategy, Global Power, and Institutionalization.

How does the author define "security" in this context?

Security is defined as the preservation and protection of essential values over time, emphasizing the distinction between objective and subjective security perceptions.

What is the paradox of European security?

The paradox lies in the European ambition to act autonomously in global crises while remaining functionally dependent on American military technology and the Atlantic Alliance.

How does the thesis view the role of the "state"?

Despite post-international tendencies, the state is still considered the core element of the international system and the "ruler of last resort."