Overview

The second edition of European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World provides a clear introduction to the complexities of contemporary European foreign policy and offers a fresh and distinctive perspective on the nature of the EU's international identity. Thoroughly revised and expanded, the book explores how and why the EU tries to achieve five core foreign policy objectives: the encouragement of regional cooperation; the advancement of human rights; the promotion of democracy and good governance; the prevention of violent conflicts; and the fight against international crime, including terrorism. In pursuing these goals, the book illustrates how the EU is faced with acute policy dilemmas because the five objectives not only clash with each other, but also with additional policy priorities - such as securing energy supplies or establishing strategic partnerships with key powers. The uniqueness of the EU as a global actor is carefully assessed, and its key policies and the related dilemmas it faces compared with those of other international actors. This well-written and thoroughly researched book will be a valuable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of European politics, foreign policy analysis, international relations and related disciplines.

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9780745640181

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Reviews

The book is very clearly written and its arguments are always logical and straight-forward. While being theoretically informed it is also very rich in empirical data regarding different aspects of European foreign policy. International Spectator Karen Smith may ask the same basic questions as she did in the original edition of this work in 2003, but that is because they remain fundamental to the evolution of the EU as a foreign policy actor. What makes this an invaluable new edition is that Smith includes a mass of new material, both academic (including her own more detailed work on human rights) and documentary, to deepen as well as update her analysis. And it remains probably the best and most clearly written introduction to European foreign policies and foreign policy-making we have clear and succinct, logical and reasonable in its judgements and, at all times, utterly relevant. Geoffrey Edwards, University of Cambridge This excellent book smoothly guides the readers through the labyrinth of European foreign policy. Smith does not speculate on what constitutes the EU; rather she tries to show its work in international relations and the resulting effects. Her comprehensive treatment of foreign policy casts a bright light on the range of Europe's external engagements: from conflict prevention, regional cooperation and the fight against international crime, to protection and promotion of human rights, good governance and democracy. She emphasizes the EU's leverage and normative commitment while also revealing its institutional complexity and lack of consistency. This work is a truly impressive achievement which can be highly recommended to all students of European politics. Jan Zielonka, European Studies Centre, University of Oxford Astutely avoiding the inconclusive debates that attempt to characterize the EU's global role, Smith opts instead for an empirically rich and theoretically informed analysis of what the EU actually does. She provides a comprehensive framework for exploring why and how and how well the EU pursues a range of foreign policy objectives. Written with unusual clarity and authority, Smith's conclusions about the distinctiveness of the EU in world affairs are knowledgeable, well-supported, and compelling. Katie Verlin Laatikainen, Adelphi University

The book is very clearly written and its arguments are always logical and straight-forward. While being theoretically informed it is also very rich in empirical data regarding different aspects of European foreign policy. International Spectator Karen Smith may ask the same basic questions as she did in the original edition of this work in 2003, but that is because they remain fundamental to the evolution of the EU as a foreign policy actor. What makes this an invaluable new edition is that Smith includes a mass of new material, both academic (including her own more detailed work on human rights) and documentary, to deepen as well as update her analysis. And it remains probably the best and most clearly written introduction to European foreign policies and foreign policy-making we have clear and succinct, logical and reasonable in its judgements and, at all times, utterly relevant. Geoffrey Edwards, University of Cambridge This excellent book smoothly guides the readers through the labyrinth of European foreign policy. Smith does not speculate on what constitutes the EU; rather she tries to show its work in international relations and the resulting effects. Her comprehensive treatment of foreign policy casts a bright light on the range of Europe's external engagements: from conflict prevention, regional cooperation and the fight against international crime, to protection and promotion of human rights, good governance and democracy. She emphasizes the EU's leverage and normative commitment while also revealing its institutional complexity and lack of consistency. This work is a truly impressive achievement which can be highly recommended to all students of European politics. Jan Zielonka, European Studies Centre, University of Oxford Astutely avoiding the inconclusive debates that attempt to characterize the EU's global role, Smith opts instead for an empirically rich and theoretically informed analysis of what the EU actually does. She provides a comprehensive framework for exploring why and how and how well the EU pursues a range of foreign policy objectives. Written with unusual clarity and authority, Smith's conclusions about the distinctiveness of the EU in world affairs are knowledgeable, well-supported, and compelling. Katie Verlin Laatikainen, Adelphi University

Author Information

Karen Smith is Reader in International Relations at the London School of Economics.

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