With this paper I want to take part in the discussion of how EU member states foreign policy has adapted (as a dependent variable) to the requirements of European Community / Union membership (as an independent variable) and Common Foreign and Security Policy making. I will concentrate on the national level adaptations in the foreign policy field using the example
of Greece. As a concept, I will use the framework of Europeanization to examine to what extent the Greek foreign policy has been europeanised. So the research question I seek to answer in this paper is:
Q: To what extent is the Greek foreign policy europeanised?
Greece is an worthwhile example to examine. The Greek Turkey/Cyprus conflict there provides an interesting and ideal case to study the Europeanization of foreign policy.
The history of Greece’s membership in the European Union has been somewhat patchy. When Greece applied to join the European Community (EC) in 1975, shortly after coming back from a period of dictatorship, existing EC member states had huge reservations about the prospect of Greek membership. Not only did they fear migrant flows and the Greek administration not being capable of processing all the requirements of EC membership, existing member states also feared being dragged into Greece’s ongoing conflict with Turkey.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The concept of Europeanization
2.1. Processes and mechanisms
2.2. The Europeanization of foreign policies
3. The example of Greek Foreign Policy
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how the foreign policy of an EU member state adapts to the requirements of European Union membership and the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), using Greece as a primary case study to analyze the extent of Europeanization.
- Theoretical framework of Europeanization as a two-way process.
- Mechanisms of "policy download" and "policy uploading" in foreign policy.
- Historical evolution of Greek foreign policy since 1981.
- Multilateralization and denationalization of national foreign policy stances.
- Critical perspectives on the limits of Europeanization during financial crises.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The example of Greece
This part of the paper will deal with the domestic impact on Greeces foreign policies that emerged after joining the European Community in 1981. Sticking to a chronological sequence or giving a detailed account about specific changes, especially the Greece-Turkey conflict, is beyond the scope of this paper, hence this paper will concentrate on giving evidence for those general developments mentioned earlier (adaptation of style, substance and general approach) and their manifestations, rather than on separate phenomena.
Greece joined the European Community in 1981 in a unique way. Greece lagged behind many countries there in economic performance and had no shared borders with any other member state at the time. It was therefore seen as the "black sheep of the European Union", because of its inertia within the European framework19. However since the mid-nineties things have changed. This part of the paper will show how Greek foreign policy has europeanized since then:
(H1) To a certain degree, Greece adapted to and/or absorbed foreign policy substances and contents and in many cases adjusted its foreign policy contents to those of the majority of the EU member states. A powerful example is the adoption of European level points of view to some of the most important Greek foreign policies concerning Turkey, Cyprus and the Kaukasus20.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the challenges of EU membership and the increasing relevance of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) for member states.
2. The concept of Europeanization: Defines the analytical framework of Europeanization, detailing the mechanisms of policy adaptation and the two-way relationship between the EU and its members.
2.1. Processes and mechanisms: Distinguishes between bottom-up and top-down processes of Europeanization and identifies social learning as a key driver for domestic change.
2.2. The Europeanization of foreign policies: Applies the Europeanization framework specifically to foreign policy, introducing the concepts of "policy download" and "policy uploading."
3. The example of Greek Foreign Policy: Provides empirical evidence of how Greek foreign policy has evolved since 1981 through substance, style, and general approach adaptations.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that while Greece has undergone a profound shift towards a more Europeanized foreign policy, challenges and limits to this process remain.
Keywords
Europeanization, Greek foreign policy, European Union, Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, Policy upload, Policy download, Multilateralization, Denationalization, European Integration, Socialization, Domestic change, Member states, Political Science, Adaptation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the Europeanization of foreign policy, specifically analyzing how the foreign policy of Greece has adapted to the requirements and influence of the European Union since its accession in 1981.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study centers on European integration, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and the mechanisms of national-level political adaptation, specifically regarding foreign policy substance, style, and strategy.
What is the core research question?
The research question is: "To what extent is the Greek foreign policy europeanised?"
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author utilizes an analytical framework based on the concept of "Europeanization," employing mechanisms of "policy download" and "policy uploading" to evaluate adaptations in Greek foreign policy.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section investigates the specific manifestations of Europeanization in Greece, including changes in relations with Turkey, the Middle-East conflict, and the adoption of multilateral approaches to international issues.
Which key terms characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Europeanization, policy uploading/downloading, multilateralization, denationalization, and European integration.
How does the author define the relationship between Greece and the EU in this context?
The author views this relationship as a two-way process of mutual influence, where Greece both adapts to EU-wide foreign policy norms and actively attempts to project its own interests onto the EU agenda.
What is the significance of the year 1999 for Greek foreign policy?
The year 1999 represents a pinnacle of rapprochement, when Greece moved away from a bilateral confrontation stance towards Turkey and accepted its role as a candidate for EU membership, reflecting a clear Europeanized shift.
What methodological limitations does the author acknowledge?
The author notes the lack of a universal definition for "Europeanization," the complexity of the available literature, and the difficulty in establishing clear causality between EU membership and changes in foreign policy.
Does the author conclude that Greek foreign policy is fully Europeanized?
The author concludes that while there has been a profound shift and Greece is "to a large extent" Europeanized, it has not yet achieved a fully Europeanized foreign policy across all international issues.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jan Onno Steenweg (Autor:in), 2017, Applying Europeanization to Foreign Policies. How europeanized is the Greek foreign policy?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/387021
