The EU's trade strategy shift from multilateralism to bilateralism. A case study on TTIP

Table of Contents

1. The bilateral shift in EU trade policy, TTIP and its scientific relevance

1.1 Research topic, relevance and methodology

1.2 EU trade strategy: from bilateralism to multilateralism and back

1.3 TTIP: the climax of EU trade bilateralism?

2. Neorealism – a structural approach to international relations with states as unitary actors

2.1 Terms, assumptions and key actors of neorealism

2.2 A neorealist approach to the bilateral shift of EU trade policy

2.3 A neorealist explanation of TTIP

3. Commercial Liberalism – Economic interests and preferences as the main driver of international politics

3.1 Terms, assumptions and key actors of liberalism

3.2 A liberal approach to the bilateral shift of EU trade policy

3.3 A liberal explanation of TTIP

4. Institutionalism – Institutions as key actors with self-interest and ‘path-dependency’

4.1 Terms, assumptions and key actors of Institutionalism

4.2 An institutionalist approach to the bilateral shift of EU trade policy

4.3 An institutionalist explanation of TTIP

5. Conclusion

5.1 Theoretical Conclusions

5.2 Empirical Conclusions

5.3 Broader theoretical implications and policy recommendations

Research Objectives and Themes

This thesis examines the fundamental reorientation of European Union trade strategy, specifically the transition from a long-standing commitment to multilateralism within the WTO framework to a more aggressive pursuit of bilateral preferential trade agreements, exemplified by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). By employing a multi-theoretical framework, the research seeks to identify the drivers of this shift, evaluating the explanatory power of neorealist, liberal, and institutionalist approaches.

• The influence of global power shifts and emerging economies on EU trade strategy.
• The impact of domestic economic interest groups and lobbying on foreign trade policy.
• The institutional autonomy and self-interest of the European Commission in trade negotiations.
• The role of TTIP as a defensive and offensive geopolitical instrument for the EU.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. The bilateral shift in EU trade policy, TTIP and its scientific relevance: Introduces the shift from multilateralism to bilateralism in EU trade and outlines the methodology for analyzing this trend through three theoretical lenses.

2. Neorealism – a structural approach to international relations with states as unitary actors: Analyzes the policy shift as a reaction to global power transitions and the need for the EU to rebalance its position in an anarchic system.

3. Commercial Liberalism – Economic interests and preferences as the main driver of international politics: Explores how domestic business interest groups successfully lobbied the European Commission to abandon blocked multilateralism in favor of bilateral market access.

4. Institutionalism – Institutions as key actors with self-interest and ‘path-dependency’: Examines the role of the European Commission as an autonomous actor that utilizes trade policy to strengthen its institutional position and leadership.

5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings by arguing that the bilateral shift is a complex result of systemic pressures, domestic interest-group influence, and institutional self-interest, all of which are mutually intertwined.

Keywords

Trade Policy, European Union, Bilateralism, Multilateralism, Neorealism, Liberalism, Institutionalism, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Global Governance, European Commission, Economic Interests, International Relations, Lobbying, Market Access, Commercial Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this research paper?

The paper investigates why the European Union shifted its trade policy strategy from a primary focus on multilateral agreements to a more aggressive pursuit of bilateral free trade agreements since the mid-2000s.

What are the primary theoretical frameworks used?

The author uses neorealism to analyze systemic power shifts, commercial liberalism to understand the influence of domestic interest groups, and historical institutionalism to examine the role of the European Commission.

What is the main objective of the thesis?

The objective is to determine the main drivers and motivations behind the EU's trade strategy shift by testing how external factors, domestic interests, and institutional dynamics contributed to the initiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

What research methodology is employed?

The study uses a qualitative, multi-theoretical approach combined with a single case study of the TTIP negotiations to draw conclusions about the broader strategic shift of the European Union.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The chapters are divided into theoretical analysis sections, followed by the application of those theories to both general EU trade policy and the specific case of TTIP, concluding with a theoretical and empirical assessment.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include Trade Policy, European Union, Bilateralism, Multilateralism, Neorealism, Liberalism, Institutionalism, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

How does neorealism explain the shift toward bilateralism?

Neorealism interprets the shift as a necessary reaction to the relative decline of Western economic power and the emergence of other powers, forcing the EU to secure its influence through strategic bilateral alliances.

What role does the European Commission play in this shift according to institutionalism?

Institutionalism portrays the Commission as an autonomous actor with its own bureaucratic self-interests, using its exclusive competence in trade policy to establish leadership and strengthen its position within the EU governance framework.