The Theory: Lead Groups and EU Foreign Policy-Making

Abstract This article assesses the role that emotions play in European Union foreign policy-making. EU decision-making has often been depicted as technocratic and ‘de-dramatized’, yet there are still situations in which emotions can affect the process and outcomes of foreign policy decision-making. Using examples of the EU's responses to crises in Ukraine and Myanmar, the article illustrates that emotions can motivate the taking of particular decisions at particular times. Further, the EU expresses emotions in its foreign policy communications, although its use of emotional diplomacy may not be accompanied by substantive action appropriate to the emotions expressed, thus revealing the existence of an emotions–action gap. The ‘emotional turn’ in foreign policy analysis can open up new directions for research in EU foreign policy, and the conclusion considers other promising avenues for researching emotions and EU foreign policy.

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Foreign Policy Analysis and EU foreign policy-making

The EU in Association Agreement Negotiations ◽

10.4324/9780429316708-2 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 15-48

Author(s):

Daniel Schade

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Policy Analysis ◽

Policy Making ◽

Foreign Policy Analysis ◽

Eu Foreign Policy

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Lobbying in EU Foreign Policy-making

10.4324/9781315726199 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Benedetta Voltolini

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Policy Making ◽

Eu Foreign Policy

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EC Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements: A New Standard EU Foreign Policy Tool?

European Journal of Migration and Law ◽

10.1163/157181608x376872 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 411-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Imke Kruse ◽

Florian Trauner

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Side Effects ◽

Policy Making ◽

Eastern Enlargement ◽

New Member States ◽

Eu Foreign Policy ◽

Policy Tool ◽

Political Implications ◽

Negative Side Effects ◽

The Eu

AbstractThis article offers an analysis of the objective, substance and political implications of EC visa facilitation and readmission agreements. These agreements have gained increasing importance in EU foreign policy making because the EU has started to view visa facilitation regimes not only as a necessary incentive for the signing of a readmission agreement, but also as a means for mitigating the negative side-effects of the Eastern Enlargement. In offering more relaxed travel conditions in exchange for endorsement of an EC readmission agreement and reforms in domestic justice and home affairs, the EU found a new way to pressure for reforms in neighbouring countries while meeting a major source of discontent in these countries. The analysis considers the broader implications of these agreements and argues that even if the facilitated travel opportunities are beneficial for the citizens of the target countries, the positive achievements are undermined by the Schengen enlargement which requires that the new member states tighten up their borders to their neighbours.

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