In the shadow of the Constitution: adapting to a changing external environment

Nickel, Dietmar, and Quille, Gerrard. (2007) In the shadow of the Constitution: adapting to a changing external environment. In: UNSPECIFIED, Montreal, Canada. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

[From the introduction]. This paper is not a textual analysis of opinion polls, but an interesting question comes forward: do such opinions show support for the original EU approach to CFSP ie speaking softly and carrying a big wallet, or are they also endorsing the developments since 1999 of the more muscular ESDP? The authors of this paper do not need to be convinced of the added-value ESDP is playing today and will undoubtedly play in the future. Nor do they need to be convinced that ESDP is an important new "instrument" in the foreign policy "toolbox" to respond to the demands of the contemporary security environment or to avoid the inaction and hesitancy of the past. However, the authors put forward a number of issues in this paper that should be discussed more widely if the development of ESDP is to be a real added value for the pursuit of the Union's CFSP and sustainable in the face of future external crises and internal political debate. In this respect the authors argue for the need to address the so-called double-democratic deficit where there is a need for improved transparency, debate and democratic scrutiny of ESDP, which will otherwise remain in the shadow of the constitution.

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