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Still Not Pushing Back

Author

Listed:
  • Jolyon Howorth

    (Political Science Yale University, New Haven)

  • Anand Menon

    (The European Research Institute University of Birmingham, United Kingdom)

Abstract

A recent wave of scholarly literature has argued forcibly that the European Union’s European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) represents an attempt on the part of the EU to “balance†against the United States. According to such analyses, the EU is reacting to American global preeminence by building up its military capacities to enhance its own ability to play a significant, autonomous role in international affairs. This article takes issue with such claims. It points, first, to significant theoretical and methodological shortcomings inherent in the work of the “soft balancers.†Second, and more fundamentally, it subjects this work to careful empirical scrutiny and illustrates how the soft balancers have fundamentally misunderstood ESDP. Finally, it illustrates how such misinterpretations result from a failure to appreciate the profound impact that institutional structures wield over substantive outcomes in international security affairs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jolyon Howorth & Anand Menon, 2009. "Still Not Pushing Back," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 53(5), pages 727-744, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:53:y:2009:i:5:p:727-744
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002709339362
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lebow, Richard Ned, 1994. "The long peace, the end of the cold war, and the failure of realism," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(2), pages 249-277, April.
    2. Anders Wivel, 2005. "The Security Challenge of Small EU Member States: Interests, Identity and the Development of the EU as a Security Actor," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 393-412, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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