Red Globe Press The External Action of the European Union: Concepts, Approaches, Theories: 137 (The European Union Series)

This groundbreaking new textbook offers extensive coverage of EU External Action studies, from its major concepts to the key theories in the field. Over the past decades, the European Union has progressively developed into a significant global actor in an increasing number of policy fields. This long-awaited volume looks into different ways of conceptualizing the EU as a global actor, the processes and impact of EU external action, explanations offered by IR and integration theories, the discursive, normative, practice and gender ‘turns’, and the ‘decentring agenda’ for EU external action. The book offers a reader-friendly guidance on these various ways in which to study the EU as a global actor: each chapter introduces one concept, approach or theory and illustrates its application by a case study of EU external action. In drawing the different perspectives together, the book underscores that ‘EU External Action Studies’ is becoming an academic speciality in its own right. Written by leading experts, the volume will make essential reading for students, scholars and practitioners of EU external action.EU External Action Studies nowadays attract attention from scholars and students in International Relations (IR), Foreign Policy Analysis and (interdisciplinary) EU Studies, as well as from practitioners.  Review From a narrative of peace on the continent after two world wars to one of the prosperity generated by the single market, the rationale for the European Union today is an exquisitely global one. From trade, energy and climate, to security, defence and the digital domain, Europe strives for autonomy in a world which is ever more complex, connected and contested. Providing indispensable theoretical and empirical lenses to make sense of this journey, this edited volume by Sieglinde Gstöhl and Simon Schunz is a must-read for all students and practitioners of European foreign policy. --Nathalie Tocci, Institute of International Affairs, ItalyGstöhl and Schunz have assembled a fabulous group of contributors to assess, consolidate and take forward the study of European Union external action. They illustrate the richness of new conceptualisations and theorising about EU external action, and argue for a more systematic combination of various approaches, as well as the exportation of these concepts and approaches to the wider disciplines of International Relations and EU Studies. Essential reading for students and scholars alike. --Karen E. Smith, London School of Economics, UKOffering a profound and comprehensive overview of conceptual and theoretical approaches, and written by key experts in the field, this volume will be a major reference point for students and scholars interested in the European Union’s external action. The book covers not only traditional concepts like actorness and coherence, and familiar theories like neofunctionalism and external governance, but it also engages with innovative perspectives such as the practice turn, global justice, gendering and decentring approaches. --Jan Orbie, University of Ghent, Belgium Review From a narrative of peace on the continent after two world wars to one of the prosperity generated by the single market, the rationale for the European Union today is an exquisitely global one. From trade, energy and climate, to security, defence and the digital domain, Europe strives for autonomy in a world which is ever more complex, connected and contested. Providing indispensable theoretical and empirical lenses to make sense of this journey, this edited volume by Sieglinde Gstöhl and Simon Schunz is a must-read for all students and practitioners of European foreign policy. ― Nathalie Tocci, Institute of International Affairs, ItalyGstöhl and Schunz have assembled a fabulous group of contributors to assess, consolidate and take forward the study of European Union external action. They illustrate the richness of new conceptualisations and theorisin