Patchwork Power’ Europe? The EU’s Representation in International Institutions

Gstöhl, Sieglinde (2008). Patchwork Power’ Europe? The EU’s Representation in International Institutions. United Nations University and College of Europe.

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  • Sub-type Working paper
    Author Gstöhl, Sieglinde
    Editor Van Langenhove, Luk
    Mahncke, Dieter
    Song, Xinning
    Gstöhl, Sieglinde
    Title Patchwork Power’ Europe? The EU’s Representation in International Institutions
    Volume/Issue No. 2
    Publication Date 2008
    Place of Publication Bruges
    Publisher United Nations University and College of Europe
    Pages 31
    Language eng
    Abstract This paper examines why, after five decades of integration, the European Union's representation in international institutions still varies considerably. This question has so far not attracted much scholarly attention in political science; most studies focus on the legal status of the EU in international organisations, in particular in UN bodies. The EU does not consistently 'speak with one voice' as a global actor, but its international representation varies from the Commission, the EU presidency (and troika) over the European Central Bank to the national, sometimes coordinated positions of the member states. The Union's role in global governance is thus constrained by a bewildering pattern of external representatives. Theoretical approaches suggest four explanatory factors: issue areas, institutions, interests and identities. The paper argues that the usual focus on issue areas in terms of the distribution of legal competences alone cannot explain the EU's current role as a 'patchwork power'. Institutional factors (such as an organisation's rules of participation and the EU's own coordination mechanisms) and the member states' constellation of interests have to be taken into account as well.
    UNBIS Thesaurus EUROPE
    INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
    GOVERNANCE
    WORLD POLITICS
    Copyright Holder The Author
    Copyright Year 2008
    Copyright type All rights reserved
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    Created: Fri, 15 Feb 2019, 14:21:49 JST