The strengthening of the effectiveness of the CSDP : intergovernmental versus supranational control

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the two different approaches of governance within the confines of the EU's CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy). The first approach is the intergovernmentalist system, which treats the national governments of states as leading decision-making actors within the EU integrated policy fields. The second approach is the supranationalist system, referring to the development of a multinational set of institutions that assume a role of governance and policy making activity that precedes the nation-state authority. This study examines the influence that the current policy domain has on the EU's security and defence field while taking into consideration the limitations and factors that also affect the EU when it comes to confronting international crises and assume decisions. This study uses qualitative case study research as the main methodological tool in an attempt to understand the influence that the integovernmentalist approach has on the EU's response. This is manifested by referring to Libya, Mali and Central African Republic conflicts as case studies. Such analysis on how the EU responded to these crises produced information on the effects that this approach has on the implementation of policy and the EU's field of operation. Moreover, the study speculates whether the supranationalist approach could have been a better solution for the North African conflicts. Overall the study underpins some faults within the EU response and deemed that the intergovernmentalist approach is being ineffective within the confines of the CSDP. It suggests that the EU should assume a new approach for a more effective CSDP.