Peace-building through State-building. EU Strategies towards the Palestinian Territories and the Role of Democracy

Table of Contents

1. ABSTRACT

1.1. Structure and Method

1.2. Background of International Peace-building in Palestine

1.2.1. The Oslo Peace Process

1.2.2. The Post-Oslo Period

1.2.2.1. Domestic Frictions

1.2.2.2. The Conflict Today

2. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. The State

2.1.1. The Concept of the State

2.2. Peace

2.2.1. Negative and Positive Peace

2.3. Peace-building and State-building: Dependent on Each Other?

2.3.1. Peace-building

2.3.2. State-building

2.3.3. Peace-building through State-building Paradigm

2.4. Democracy and Peace: A Causal Relationship?

2.4.1. Democracy

2.4.2. Democratization

2.4.3. Democratic Peace Paradigm

2.5. Evaluation of Theoretical Framework

3. THE EU´s CONCEPTION OF DEMOCRACY PROMOTION

3.1. Democratization and Democracy in primary EU sources

3.2. Classification

4. PALESTINE AND THE EU

4.1. Characterizing the OPT

4.2. Theoretical Foundations of EU Democracy Promotion in the OPT

4.3. Overview: EU Partnership with Palestine

4.4. Instruments

4.4.1. Quartet

4.4.2. Supranational Policies

4.4.3. Intergovernmental Policies

4.5. Problematic Areas

4.5.1. Focus: Security Sector

4.5.2. Focus: Palestinian Domestic Split

4.5.3. The Occupation and EU-Israeli relations

5. RESUMEE

6. CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Themes

This paper examines how the European Union integrates its external democratization agenda into its state- and peace-building strategies within the Occupied Palestinian Territories. By analyzing EU policy documents and engagement starting from 2003, it questions whether the EU's focus on democracy and good governance is an effective approach to promoting sustainable peace, given the structural constraints of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

• The theoretical nexus between peace-building and state-building.
• The democratic peace paradigm as a rationale for external democracy promotion.
• EU instruments for institutional and civil society support in Palestine.
• The dilemma between democratization goals and security/stability interests.
• The impact of the Israeli occupation on the efficacy of EU reforms.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. ABSTRACT: Provides an overview of the paper's intent to evaluate EU state-building and democracy promotion in the Palestinian territories within the post-Cold War context.

2. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: Defines core concepts including the state, positive/negative peace, and the theoretical arguments linking state-building with democratization.

3. THE EU´s CONCEPTION OF DEMOCRACY PROMOTION: Examines how the EU defines its role in democracy promotion through analysis of primary policy documents and its strategic interests.

4. PALESTINE AND THE EU: Analyzes the implementation of EU policies in the OPT, the instruments used, and the significant challenges faced, including the Israeli occupation and internal political divisions.

5. RESUMEE: Synthesizes the finding that the EU's approach is theoretically flawed due to the unresolved dilemma between prioritizing stability/security and fostering genuine democratic reform.

6. CONCLUSION: Finalizes the argument that current EU support in Palestine is not an adequate means to promote peace, characterizing its commitment as largely rhetorical.

Keywords

European Union, Palestine, State-building, Peace-building, Democracy Promotion, Democratization, Oslo Accords, Good Governance, Rule of Law, Palestinian Authority, Conflict Resolution, Security Sector Reform, Two-state solution, European Neighborhood Policy, Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research paper?

The paper explores the effectiveness of the European Union's strategy to promote democracy and good governance within the context of its peace- and state-building efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The research covers the conceptual links between state-building and peace, the democratic peace paradigm, EU foreign policy instruments, and the specific challenges of the Palestinian political landscape.

What is the central research question?

The main question asks whether the EU's democracy and good governance support in Palestine is actually an adequate or effective means to promote peace in the Middle East.

Which academic and political methodologies are utilized?

The paper employs a combination of scientific literature review for the theoretical framework and the analysis of primary sources, such as EU policy documents and official statements, for the empirical assessment.

What does the main body address regarding EU strategies?

The main body investigates the various instruments used by the EU, including the Quartet mandate, supranational neighborhood policies, and intergovernmental CSDP missions, while highlighting the inherent problems in their application.

Which keywords best characterize the study?

Key terms include European Union, State-building, Peace-building, Democracy Promotion, Democratization, Good Governance, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

How does the author view the "sequencing concept" in state-building?

The author discusses the debate between those advocating for institutionalization before democratization and those who fear this approach leads to autocratic rule, ultimately questioning the "sequencing" model.

What impact does the "domestic split" have on EU policies?

The split between Fatah and Hamas, particularly after the 2006 elections, created a dilemma for the EU, forcing it to navigate between its rhetoric of supporting democratic outcomes and its political refusal to engage with Hamas.