Quick Poll: What is "EU foreign policy"?

Kosmopolit — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:45:47 +0000

Writing a PhD requires one to think a lot about definitions and typologyies. One of the more interesting topics in that respect is a definition of “EU foreign policy”. At the same time, there seems to be quite a gap between academic debate and public debate , although one can of course argue that this is quite normal in general. However, social science operates with concepts that are somehow connected to the real world (ok, no ontological/epistemological debates now…) Let’s get back to “EU foreign policy” What are your first thoughts when you hear the term?

(1) Everything that relates to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)? (second pillar for EU geeks)

(2) “External relations” which include the Common Commercial Policy, trade relations as well as development issues? (first pillar for EU geeks)

(3) Something else? (Please specify)

(4) What about the individual foreign policies of the member states? Are they part of EU foreign policy? EU foreign policy could be seen as an aggregation of different national foreign policies. Do people outside the EU make the difference between the French/German/British … approach or do they think it is part of the European approach. and ultimately a EU foreign policy?

(5) It does not exist!

(6) A mixture of all the issues above?

Kosmopolito » definition

Quick Poll: What is "EU foreign policy"?