The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations (2024)

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the European Union as a subsystem of international relations. It examines the following questions, taking into account the historical context in which EU foreign policy has developed as well as the theoretical pluralism that has characterized its study. First, how has the EU dealt with its own international relations internally? Second, what are the ideas and principles underlying EU foreign policy? Third, what is the EU's collective action capacity in relation to the rest of the world? The chapter illustrates interstate dynamics as a result of European integration by focusing on the cases of France, Germany, and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). It also considers the EU's international identity and its role as a collective actor.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Relations and the European Union
EditorsChristopher Hill, Michael Smith, Sophie Vanhoonacker
Place of PublicationOxford
Pages23-42
Edition3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Publication series

SeriesThe New European Union Series

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Vanhoonacker - Kormoss, S., & Duke, S. (2017). The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations. In C. Hill, M. Smith, & S. Vanhoonacker (Eds.), International Relations and the European Union (3 ed., pp. 23-42). https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198737322.003.0002

Vanhoonacker - Kormoss, Sophie ; Duke, Simon. / The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations. International Relations and the European Union. editor / Christopher Hill ; Michael Smith ; Sophie Vanhoonacker. 3. ed. Oxford, 2017. pp. 23-42 (The New European Union Series).

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title = "The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations",

abstract = "This chapter focuses on the European Union as a subsystem of international relations. It examines the following questions, taking into account the historical context in which EU foreign policy has developed as well as the theoretical pluralism that has characterized its study. First, how has the EU dealt with its own international relations internally? Second, what are the ideas and principles underlying EU foreign policy? Third, what is the EU's collective action capacity in relation to the rest of the world? The chapter illustrates interstate dynamics as a result of European integration by focusing on the cases of France, Germany, and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). It also considers the EU's international identity and its role as a collective actor.",

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Vanhoonacker - Kormoss, S & Duke, S 2017, The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations. in C Hill, M Smith & S Vanhoonacker (eds), International Relations and the European Union. 3 edn, Oxford, The New European Union Series, pp. 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198737322.003.0002

The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations. / Vanhoonacker - Kormoss, Sophie; Duke, Simon.
International Relations and the European Union. ed. / Christopher Hill; Michael Smith; Sophie Vanhoonacker. 3. ed. Oxford, 2017. p. 23-42 (The New European Union Series).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

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AB - This chapter focuses on the European Union as a subsystem of international relations. It examines the following questions, taking into account the historical context in which EU foreign policy has developed as well as the theoretical pluralism that has characterized its study. First, how has the EU dealt with its own international relations internally? Second, what are the ideas and principles underlying EU foreign policy? Third, what is the EU's collective action capacity in relation to the rest of the world? The chapter illustrates interstate dynamics as a result of European integration by focusing on the cases of France, Germany, and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). It also considers the EU's international identity and its role as a collective actor.

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Vanhoonacker - Kormoss S, Duke S. The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations. In Hill C, Smith M, Vanhoonacker S, editors, International Relations and the European Union. 3 ed. Oxford. 2017. p. 23-42. (The New European Union Series). doi: 10.1093/hepl/9780198737322.003.0002

The European Union as a Subsystem of International Relations (2024)

FAQs

What is the role of the European Union in international relations? ›

Principal roles in international relations

The European Commission plays a key role in the design of development policy and delivering aid worldwide. Internationally, it helps to negotiate development cooperation agreements and is represented on the ground by EU delegations around the world.

Why is the European Union so important? ›

The EU is the largest trade bloc in the world. It is the world's biggest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and the biggest import market for over 100 countries. Free trade among its members was one of the EU's founding principles. This is possible thanks to the single market.

How does the European Union promote internationalism? ›

The EU promotes internationalism by bringing many diverse countries and cultures together to benefit from being a collective. It also prevents conflict between different countries by providing security to its members.

What is the European Union in world affairs? ›

European Union (EU), international organization comprising 27 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies.

What is the main purpose of the European Union? ›

The aims of the EU within the wider world are: uphold and promote its values and interests. contribute to peace and security and the sustainable development of the Earth. contribute to solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights.

What are the main roles of the European Union? ›

The modern European Union, founded in 1992, has its origins in post–World War II attempts to integrate European economies and prevent future conflicts. It consists of seven major institutions and dozens of smaller bodies that make law, coordinate foreign affairs and trade, and manage a common budget.

What is the biggest advantage of the European Union? ›

Benefits for countries joining the EU
  • political stability.
  • freedom for citizens to live, study or work anywhere in the EU.
  • increased trade via access to the single market.
  • increased funding and investment.
  • higher social, environmental, and consumer standards.

What makes the European Union a highly influential organisation? ›

The EU has an influential role in the UN policies because its two members—Britain and France hold permanent seats in the UN Security Council. 4. The EU is influential in the areas of diplomacy, economic investments and negotiation.

Why is the EU important to the US? ›

The EU is the United States' largest economic partner, its largest investment partner, and second-largest trading partner. Total U.S.-EU trade was $298 billion in 1997, up from $270 billion in 1996. This two-way trade supports more than 6 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

What role does the EU play on the international stage today? ›

The European Union and its Member States are engaged around the world to promote peace, security and prosperity and the interests of European citizens.

What is the role of the EU in promoting international cooperation? ›

The EU addresses global challenges through international partnerships that uphold and promote European values and interests, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the world. The EU defines specific policy areas and objectives with each partner country and each region.

What is the role of the European Union in the global economy? ›

Europe is the world's largest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and is itself the biggest export market for around 80 countries. Together, the European Union's members account for 16% of world imports and exports (2022 data).

Why is the European Union important in the world today? ›

The EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European currency: the euro. More than 340 million EU citizens in 19 countries now use it as their currency and enjoy its benefits.

Why is the European Union important in global politics? ›

It promotes democratic values in its member nations and is one of the world's most powerful trade blocs. Nineteen of the countries share the euro as their official currency. The EU grew out of a desire to strengthen economic and political cooperation throughout the continent of Europe in the wake of World War II.

What does European Union mean in world history? ›

The European Union is a unique partnership between 27 European countries, known as Member States, or EU countries. Together they cover much of the European continent. The EU is home to around 447 million people, which is around 6 % of the world's population. Citizens of the EU countries are also EU citizens.

What is the role contribution of EU in international trade? ›

The EU is responsible for the trade policy of the member countries and negotiates agreements for them. Speaking as one voice, the EU carries more weight in international trade negotiations than each individual member would. The EU actively engages with countries or regional groupings to negotiate trade agreements.

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