Helene Sjursen

The EU as a ‘normative’ power: how can this be?

Abstract Existing conceptions of the EU as a ‘civilian’/‘normative’/‘civilizing’ power lack precision and are normatively biased. There may be ‘normative’ or ‘civilian’ dimensions to EU foreign policy, yet it is problematic to imply, as such conceptualizations do, that the EU is a ‘force for good’ without identifying criteria and assessment standards that make it possible to qualify, substantiate or reject such a claim. How can we know that the EUs pursuit of norms is legitimate? One possible ‘critical standard’ might be to consider that a putative ‘normative’ or ‘civilian’ power would act in order to transform the parameters of power politics through a focus on strengthening the international legal system. From such a perspective there is, however, a tension in the EUs approach to international affairs.

Why Expand?: The Question of Legitimacy and Justification in the Eu's Enlargement Policy

Why does the European Union (EU) enlarge and why does it make certain prioritizations amongst applicants in the enlargement process? In this article, different reasons that have been used in mobilizing for enlargement are examined. An analytical distinction is made between three different types of reasons: pragmatic, ethical–political and moral. The conclusion is that ethical–political reasons, which testify to a sense of kinship–based duty, are particularly important in mobilizing for enlargement to incorporate central and eastern Europe and thus also central to an appreciation of prioritizations in the EU’s enlargement policy.

What kind of power

Abstract The argument that the EU is a humanitarian – normative, civilian, civilizing – power has gained considerable attention. Echoing discussions about recent developments in the international system towards a post-Westphalian order, the EUs actual foreign policy is in many ways a test case for such developments. However, much remains to be done in terms of finding a satisfactory theoretical basis from which to examine this argument. The study of the putative humanitarian dimension to the EUs foreign policy may benefit from legal and normative theory and from sociological insights into modern politics. On this basis we may find a better starting point for examining whether the EUs humanitarian dimension is comprehensible as well as justifiable.

A common foreign policy for Europe? : competing visions of the CFSP

The first book to explore the EUs record as a global actor since the creation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in 1993 within the context of the Treaty of Amsterdam and recent decisions relating to NATO and EU enlargement. The chapters focus on: * the interface between EU foreign and trade policies * the EUs relationship with European defence organizations * its behaviour within the OSCE and UN * the institutional consequences of the CFSP * case studies of EU policies towards Central and Eastern Europe and the Maghreb countries. The editors draw the findings together to assess whether the EU has been successful as a global actor and consider the question: can the EU become a more credible, reliable and unitary global actor?

Changes to European Security in a Communicative Perspective

Based on a communicative perspective, this article examines the theoretical possibility of a two-fold change in European security (in the referent object of security and in the understanding and practice of the best means of achieving security). The approach suggested should be considered supplementary to the rational choice perspective, and at the same time a contribution to a strengthening of the existing ‘widening’ literature on security. It is argued that the concepts of communicative rationality and deliberation can contribute to this in two ways: first, by establishing alternative and more precise micro-foundations to those provided in the rational choice perspective; second, by providing a critical standard that allows us to escape the normative ambiguity in security studies.

The EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy: the quest for democracy

This collection seeks to reorient studies of European foreign and security policy towards the question of democracy. The aim is to blend insights from international relations and democratic theory in order to enhance our understanding of what is at stake.

The United States, Western Europe and the Polish Crisis

Introduction PART ONE: THE CRISIS The Double-Edged Sword of the Polish Crisis Balancing Democracy and Security After Martial Law: Disarray in the Western Camp PART TWO: NATIONAL RESPONSES The United States: Human Rights as Power Politics The Europeans Conclusion: The Cold War Between Human Rights and Security

A CERTAIN SENSE OF EUROPE

ABSTRACT This article seeks to shed light on the identity problem of the European Union by investigating EU justifications for past enlargements. What kind of understanding of the EU do enlargement decisions indicate? Given that the EU is based on more than mere pragmatic problem-solving, the question is whether decisions to enlarge reflect a value-based or a rights-based polity. Although a certain sense of distinctiveness, certain elements of European particularities, are in evidence, the pull of universal principles has proven stronger thus far. Paradoxically, this presents the European political project with an important dilemma.

Playing into the Hands of the Commission? The Case of EU Coordination in the ILO

In February 2006, after five years of intense work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) succeeded in adopting a consolidated maritime labour convention (MLC). The Convention, a document of over 100 pages, details minimum working standards, as well as health and social rights for seafarers. Promising substantial improvements in the rights and working conditions for this quintessentially globalized workforce through globally enforceable legal measures, it has been heralded as ‘history making’ and ‘innovative’.

The legitimacy of European Union foreign policy

ABSTRACT In this article I enquire into the sources of legitimacy of the European Unions (EU) Common Foreign and Security Policy. I suggest that as the EU has moved beyond intergovernmentalism in this policy field, it cannot derive its legitimacy solely from the national systems of the member states. It must establish an additional channel of legitimacy, which is derived directly from the EU. Challenging the conventional position on the legitimacy of global governance institutions, I further suggest that EU institutions can only make a reasonable claim to prevail over the member states in this policy field if they contribute to enhance the normative status of the foreign policy. That the co-operative endeavour is mutually beneficial is not a sufficient basis for the legitimacy of EU foreign policy. Drawing on a deliberative perspective, I suggest that we may expect to find two mutually reinforcing sources of legitimacy at the EU level. However, these would mainly contribute to enhance the external legitimacy of the CFPS. Paradoxically, they may at the same time constrain the internal legitimacy of the EUs foreign policy.