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Conceptualizing the European Union as an International Actor: Narrowing the Theoretical Capability‐Expectations Gap

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  • Roy H. Ginsberg

Abstract

This article identifies relevant explanatory concepts of European foreign policy (EFP) and organizes those concepts into a heuristically useful model that depicts the stimuli, processes and effects of EFP decision‐making. A cadre of scholars has worked on conceptualizing the European Union (EU) as an international actor, but explanations are still at the pretheoretical stage. Although theorists are developing new and reworking old explanatory concepts, these concepts are not linked in any meaningful way to an overall analytical model. The article begins on a sober note concerning the problems associated with conceptualizing the European Union external identity, but ends on a more sanguine one about the potential for progress not thought possible a short time ago. Scholars are developing explanatory concepts more balanced, rounded, finessed and nuanced than those of their predecessors, and they are moving beyond establishing the existence of EFP to assessing its outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy H. Ginsberg, 1999. "Conceptualizing the European Union as an International Actor: Narrowing the Theoretical Capability‐Expectations Gap," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(3), pages 429-454, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:37:y:1999:i:3:p:429-454
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5965.00172
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    Cited by:

    1. Diana Panke & Sören Stapel, 2023. "Navigating Regional Regime Complexity: How and Why Does the European Union Cooperate With Regional Organizations?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(2), pages 97-108.
    2. Meike Froitzheim & Fredrik Söderbaum & Ian Taylor, 2011. "The Limits of the EU as a Peace and Security Actor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Africa Spectrum, Institute of African Affairs, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 46(3), pages 45-70.
    3. Mai'a K. Davis Cross & Ireneusz Pawel Karolewski & Kaija Schilde, 2017. "European Military Capabilities: Enablers and Constraints on EU Power?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 37-53, January.
    4. Maryna RABINOVYCH, 2016. "The Transformative Power Of The Eu-Ukraine Dcfta: Evidence From The Ongoing Deregulation Reform In Ukraine," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 8(2), pages 269-288, August.
    5. Merran Hulse, 2014. "Actorness beyond the European Union: Comparing the International Trade Actorness of SADC and ECOWAS," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(3), pages 547-565, May.

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