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The Ideational Power of Strategic Autonomy in EU Security and External Economic Policies

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  • Ana E. Juncos
  • Sophie Vanhoonacker

Abstract

This article undertakes a comparative analysis of European Union security and external economic policies to explore the different trajectories of strategic autonomy (SA) in these two domains. In so doing, it contributes to a better understanding of endogenous drivers of policy change in response to geopoliticising pressures. Drawing on discursive institutionalism, it analyses three dimensions of ideational power: power in, power through and power over. The evidence, based on documentary analysis and interviews, demonstrates that though SA presented a more significant challenge to pre‐established paradigms in external economic relations, the role of the Commission as an ideational entrepreneur, supported by its coercive power, facilitated the adoption of the idea of (open) SA. Conversely, French President Emmanuel Macron was unable to persuade others of the adoption of a sovereigntist conception of SA in security, with the exception of defence industrial policy, where the Commission enjoys budgetary power and competences.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana E. Juncos & Sophie Vanhoonacker, 2024. "The Ideational Power of Strategic Autonomy in EU Security and External Economic Policies," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 955-972, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:62:y:2024:i:4:p:955-972
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Bauerle Danzman & Sophie Meunier, 2024. "The EU's Geoeconomic Turn: From Policy Laggard to Institutional Innovator," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1097-1115, July.
    2. Bruno Oliveira Martins & Jocelyn Mawdsley, 2021. "Sociotechnical Imaginaries of EU Defence: The Past and the Future in the European Defence Fund," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(6), pages 1458-1474, November.
    3. Andrea Christou & Chad Damro, 2024. "Frames and Issue Linkage: EU Trade Policy in the Geoeconomic Turn," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1080-1096, July.
    4. Christian Freudlsperger & Sophie Meunier, 2024. "When Foreign Policy Becomes Trade Policy: The EU's Anti‐Coercion Instrument," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1063-1079, July.
    5. Martin B. Carstensen & Vivien A. Schmidt, 2018. "Ideational power and pathways to legitimation in the euro crisis," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 753-778, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Herranz‐Surrallés & Chad Damro & Sandra Eckert, 2024. "The Geoeconomic Turn of the Single European Market? Conceptual Challenges and Empirical Trends," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 919-937, July.
    2. Pierre Haroche, 2024. "Geoeconomic Power Europe: When Global Power Competition Drives EU Integration," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 938-954, July.
    3. Daniel Fiott, 2024. "From Liberalisation to Industrial Policy: Towards a Geoeconomic Turn in the European Defence Market?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1012-1027, July.
    4. Andrea Christou & Chad Damro, 2024. "Frames and Issue Linkage: EU Trade Policy in the Geoeconomic Turn," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1080-1096, July.
    5. Sarah Bauerle Danzman & Sophie Meunier, 2024. "The EU's Geoeconomic Turn: From Policy Laggard to Institutional Innovator," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1097-1115, July.
    6. Christian Freudlsperger & Sophie Meunier, 2024. "When Foreign Policy Becomes Trade Policy: The EU's Anti‐Coercion Instrument," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 1063-1079, July.

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