The crucial geo-strategic importance of the Mediterranean Region for the states in the European Union (EU) became once again very clear with the international developments after the 9/11 attacks and the following and ongoing so-called “war on terror”. One could enumerate the main big security and political challenges in the Middle East with issues such as religious radicalism, continuing state conflicts, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), growing migration pressure towards European states and political systems between the poles of autocracy and instability. These characteristics, perceived as threats to Europe’s own welfare and security interests, are likely ascribed to the region’s distinctive persistence to the gradually accumulating “third wave” of democratization and are linked to the lack of basic democratic structures and human rights there. However, these circumstances raise serious question for Europe’s Mediterranean Policies. Since the Barcelona-Conference of 1995, the Union’s institutionalized response to the destabilizing tendencies in the Middle East is the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP). According to its, at least formulated, holistic approach to the existing problems in the region, the promotion of democracy is an essential part of it. This follows the wider EU Foreign policy goals, since democracy promotion is, amongst other objectives like economic interests, a centrepiece of it. Recent documents by the Commission, for instance the New Neighbourhood Policy, stressed the significant role of norms and values like democracy, the rule of law and strengthening of human rights out again. This does not necessarily imply any form of altruism, as we will see later, but is, at least to some extent on a theoretical level, simply due to a traditional understanding of foreign policy, namely “to change what others do”. Nonetheless, it is questionable to what extent this policy is in fact influential. For many observers it is a clear-cut, that the well-known structural and practical deficits of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), but also the divergent interests between the EU and its partners in the Mediterranean impede a greater progress in the political dimension. This research paper takes up this discussion and examines the actual impact that EU democratization policy on processes towards political liberalization and system opening has, especially in the context of the EMP framework.
Table of Contents
I.) Introduction
II.) Opening Theoretical Remarks
III.) Democracy Promotion as a EU Foreign Policy Objective
IV.) The European Union and the Middle East – Relations in the Framework of the Barcelona-Process
a.) Genesis and historical Foundations
b.) Content and Objectives
c.) Democracy Promotion and the Political Dimension – Results and Shortcomings
V.) Case Study: Syria
a.) Overview
b.) Syria-EU Relations
c.) EMP and Democracy Promotions – The Experience with Syria
V.) Concluding Remarks
Research Objectives and Topics
This research paper examines the effectiveness of the European Union's democracy promotion policies within the Middle East, specifically focusing on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) framework and the case of Syria to determine if EU policy has a decisive influence on regional political liberalization.
- The role of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in regional democratization
- Theoretical and practical challenges of EU foreign policy in the Middle East
- The impact of EU political conditionality on authoritarian regimes
- Analysis of the "Damascus Spring" and Syrian political constraints
- Assessment of the effectiveness of civil society and democracy assistance programmes
Excerpt from the Book
1) Overview
As almost every single state in the Middle East, the establishment of Syrian state is seen as a direct result of the situation after World War I, when the Ottoman Empire collapsed and rising hegemonic influence of Europe over the region emerged. Generally, it was the dominant colonial power that created the main characteristics of the new states and determined the, at least formally existing rules and institutions, of the political system. In the case of Syria, an independent state was formed in 1943 and gained full sovereignty in 1946, when the last French troops left the country. Syria has been contemporary de jure a parliamentary democracy, but de facto, the power was always concentrated in the hands of a few. After the 1963 military coup, Syria was pushed in a political direction of a more socialist manner with a state-centred economy and increasing authoritarian traits, but suffered a long period of instability with ongoing coups by the military elites. Largely involved in regional wars and conflicts, Syria had to face heavy internal struggles and economic crisis in the next years. Only after the takeover of Hafiz al-Asad in 1970 in another coup did stable political structures with a constant leadership emerge. Moreover, Syria’s development in the following decades was very much determined by the rule of the regime he established.
One of the main features of Syria under the rule of Asad has been its reshaping into a strong national-security state with the raison d’être to serve national and regime security. According to Perthes, the Syrian system is best characterized as “authoritarian in the sense that political power is highly centralized, with the military and bureaucracy playing a dominant role, while the space for pluralistic competition and civil society is narrowly circumscribed, and political participation, at best, selectively granted. (…) A main feature of this political system is the high measure of control which the state exercises over society, both by authoritarian and patrimonial means.”
Summary of Chapters
I.) Introduction: Outlines the strategic importance of the Mediterranean region for the EU and introduces the research focus on the impact of EU democratization policies via the EMP.
II.) Opening Theoretical Remarks: Discusses the conceptual difficulties in defining democracy and human rights and explores the theoretical basis for democracy promotion.
III.) Democracy Promotion as a EU Foreign Policy Objective: Recapitulates the evolution of EU democracy promotion policies since the 1990s and their integration into institutional frameworks.
IV.) The European Union and the Middle East – Relations in the Framework of the Barcelona-Process: Analyzes the history, objectives, and structural shortcomings of the Barcelona Process in the political dimension.
V.) Case Study: Syria: Examines Syria’s unique political system, its difficult relationship with the EU, and the limited success of democracy promotion efforts within the country.
V.) Concluding Remarks: Summarizes the findings, noting the absence of significant democratic progress and the limited effectiveness of EU coercive instruments in the region.
Keywords
European Union, Middle East, Barcelona Process, Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, Syria, Democracy Promotion, Democratization, Human Rights, Political Conditionality, Authoritarianism, Foreign Policy, Civil Society, Regime Stability, Economic Liberalization, Political Reform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the effectiveness of European Union foreign policy, specifically the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP), in promoting democracy and political liberalization in the Middle East.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this study?
The study covers the history of EU-Mediterranean relations, the theoretical foundations of democracy promotion, political conditionality, the role of civil society, and regional security dynamics.
What is the central research question addressed by the author?
The author seeks to determine whether European foreign policy has a decisive and positive influence on the political liberalization and system-opening processes in Middle Eastern states.
Which scientific method is employed to analyze the topic?
The paper uses a combination of theoretical analysis of EU policy documents and a comparative case study approach, specifically focusing on Syria to illustrate the practical challenges of EU strategy.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main section covers the conceptual debates on democracy, the evolution of the Barcelona Process, the structural deficits of EU foreign policy actors, and a detailed assessment of Syria's political environment and its interaction with EU programs.
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
Key terms include: European Union, Middle East, Barcelona Process, Democracy Promotion, Human Rights, Political Conditionality, and Authoritarianism.
Why did the EU struggle with democracy promotion in Syria specifically?
Syria demonstrated significant reluctance toward political cooperation, blocked or diluted democracy-focused projects, and maintained a security-oriented regime that saw political reform as a threat to its stability.
How does the "Damascus Spring" reflect the limits of political reform in Syria?
The "Damascus Spring" provided a brief period of civil society engagement after Bashar Al-Asad's inauguration, but these initiatives were swiftly halted by the regime, proving that the established power structure remained largely unchanged.
- Citation du texte
- Timo Rahmann (Auteur), 2005, The Al-Asads and the dog that did not bark. EU Democracy Promotion in the Middle East - The case of Syria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/49088
