Crete, September 2013

GOSEM SS

Prof. Panebianco Stefaniastefapnb@unict.it

University of Catania

The EU as an international actor in the post-Arab Spring

The literature on the EU as a global actor:

- EU as: an ‘actor’ (Sjøstedt, 1976), a ‘presence’ (Allen and Smith, 1990; 1998), having a ‘role’ (Hill, 1993; 1998) or an ‘impact’ (Ginsberg, 2001); playing roles (Elstroem & Smith, 2006.

- EU as power: ‘civilian’ (Duchêne, 1972); ‘normative’ (Manners, 2002); ‘ethical’ [‘liberal superpower’ (Youngs, 2010: 2); ‘force for good’ (Barbé & Johansson-Nogué, 2008)], ‘divided’ (Panebianco, 2012).

The EU and the Med: a normative versus a realist approach?

“Norms and interests are inextricably linked”

NORMATIVE RETHORIC ≠

REGIONAL CHALLENGES AND

CONSTRAINTSThe normative power Europe paradigm : the EU is characterized by a set of common

principles shared by its Member States, which act as a whole diffuse ideals such as democracy and rule of law in other region.

(Manners, 2002)

The EU as a normal actor seeks its own interests (Wood, 2009); the realist critique (Hyde-Price,

2006, 2008)

Democracy Promotion

Democratic Institution-

Building Socio-Economic Pluralism

Economic Development

DEMOCRACY as the solution for economic

underdevelopment, instability and insecurity

( Democratic Peace Theory)

The EU Democracy Support after Spring 2011

A Renovated Strategy to achieve ‘deep democracy’

Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean countries (Commission’s Communication "A new response to a changing Neighbourhood”, 8 March 2011; Joint Communication by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission “A New Response to a Changing Neighbourhood. A review of European Neighbourhood Policy”, 25 May 2011; Joint Communication on “Supporting Closer Co-operation and Regional Integration in the Maghreb”, 20 December 2012).

This Partnership requires a ‘differentiated’ approach reflecting the reform progress of each country and relies upon three elements:

democratic transformation and institution-building, a stronger partnership with the people (specific emphasis on civil

society), sustainable and inclusive growth and economic development

especially support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Pragmatic change: from a policy of containment to a policy of engagement (Behr, 2013)

The ‘new’ principles and criteria of EU democracy support strategy

More for more (e.g. Tunisia) 3 Ms: money, mobility, markets

Reviewing and adjusting EU Neighbourhood Policy

Moving towards advanced status in Association Agreements

Enhancing political dialogue

European Endowment for Democracy

It is a new reframing of the traditional EU’s discourse on democracy promotion (CDA byTeti)

The EU as a divided power in the Mediterranean?

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EU reaction to systemic challenges

Different interests of EU member

EUFP complex institutional famework

EU MED Policy

Adaptive policy

Lowest common denominator policy

‘Schizofrenic’ policy

The EU Foreign Policy Complex Institutional Setting

EUFP as the result of interactions and linkages between EU and national levels in European Foreign Policy making

Member States The Commission and its

President The European Parliament

HR/Commission’s VP EEAS

A principal-agent framework, Furness 2013

Between old and new debates

The EU Capability-Expectations Gap

(Hill, 1993; Helwig, 2013)