The EC/EU is often described as a civilian or soft power. Through a critical historical overview of what the EC/EU actually did, how and why it did it and how it was perceived by its interlocutors, this chapter argues that the EC/EU grew determined to play an international political role since the late 1960s and did not act simply as a civilian power. While the promotion of multilateralism and international law was a stable element of its foreign policy, the EC/EU did not limit itself to pursuing civilians ends and using soft power tools. Since its first enlargement in 1973, the EC became the largest and richest trading bloc and aid donors in the world. It could thus exercise much leverage in its external relations, and it seems quite unplausible that it would have limited its methods to soft power. In fact, the EC/EU had diverse means to pressure several of its interlocutors into the desired behaviour and used carrots and sticks whenever it considered that its interests and goals so required. This becomes even more visible when the perceptions of the countries at the receiving end are appraised. This chapter explores the foreign policy of the EC polity from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s focusing on the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and ensuing Helsinki process, East-West relations and the political use of development aid. From refusal to compromising during negotiations to granting access to its rich market, from withdrawal of preferences to suspension of aid and loans, the image of a multipolar hardball comes closer to describe how developing countries, socialist regimes and even the two superpowers came oftentimes to see the EC/EU.

Romano, A. (2024). From ”Helsinki” and Development Aid to Multipolar Hard Ball. Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press [10.1017/9781108780865.016].

From ”Helsinki” and Development Aid to Multipolar Hard Ball

Romano, Angela
Primo
2024

Abstract

The EC/EU is often described as a civilian or soft power. Through a critical historical overview of what the EC/EU actually did, how and why it did it and how it was perceived by its interlocutors, this chapter argues that the EC/EU grew determined to play an international political role since the late 1960s and did not act simply as a civilian power. While the promotion of multilateralism and international law was a stable element of its foreign policy, the EC/EU did not limit itself to pursuing civilians ends and using soft power tools. Since its first enlargement in 1973, the EC became the largest and richest trading bloc and aid donors in the world. It could thus exercise much leverage in its external relations, and it seems quite unplausible that it would have limited its methods to soft power. In fact, the EC/EU had diverse means to pressure several of its interlocutors into the desired behaviour and used carrots and sticks whenever it considered that its interests and goals so required. This becomes even more visible when the perceptions of the countries at the receiving end are appraised. This chapter explores the foreign policy of the EC polity from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s focusing on the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and ensuing Helsinki process, East-West relations and the political use of development aid. From refusal to compromising during negotiations to granting access to its rich market, from withdrawal of preferences to suspension of aid and loans, the image of a multipolar hardball comes closer to describe how developing countries, socialist regimes and even the two superpowers came oftentimes to see the EC/EU.
2024
The Cambridge History of the European Union Volume 1. European Integration Outside-In
393
417
Romano, A. (2024). From ”Helsinki” and Development Aid to Multipolar Hard Ball. Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press [10.1017/9781108780865.016].
Romano, Angela
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
From ‘Helsinki’ and Development Aid to Multipolar Hard Ball.pdf

Open Access dal 23/04/2024

Descrizione: Capitolo in libro
Tipo: Versione (PDF) editoriale
Licenza: Licenza per accesso libero gratuito
Dimensione 672.53 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
672.53 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/960944
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact