scholarly journals Transforming practices of diplomacy: the European External Action Service and digital disinformation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Hedling
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
International Politics ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Practice Theory ◽  
External Action ◽  
Institutional Transformation ◽  
Transforming Practices

Abstract This article explores the transformative role of practices of countering digital disinformation in European Union diplomacy. It argues that an overlooked dimension of the change brought by the rise of digital disinformation is located in the emergence of everyday countering practices. Efforts to counter disinformation have led to the recruitment of new actors with different dispositions and skillsets than those of traditional diplomats and state officials in diplomatic organizations such as the European External Action Service. Focusing on the countering efforts by the East StratCom Task Force, a unit introduced in 2015, the article argues that the composition of actors, the task force's practices and the reorientation in audience perception it reflected, contributed significantly to institutional transformation. Drawing on 23 interviews with key actors and building on recent advancements in international practice theory, the article shows how change and transformation can be studied in practices that have resulted from digitalization in international politics. The article thus contributes to an increased understanding of the digitalization of diplomacy in which new practices can emerge from both deliberate reflection and experimentation.

Providing for European-Level Diplomacy after Lisbon: The Case of the European External Action Service

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Duke
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
External Action ◽  
Lisbon Treaty ◽  
The European Union ◽  
European Level ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Member States ◽  
External Relations ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe Lisbon Treaty may well be on ice, may perhaps even be moribund, but there remain compelling reasons to think through the identified shortcomings of the European Union in external relations. Many of the innovations in the area of external relations that are contained in the treaty are dependent upon ratification by the EU's member states, but some are not; the European External Action Service (EEAS) falls into the latter category. Although the actual implementation of the EEAS will face formidable hurdles, as has been outlined in this contribution, the exercise of thinking through these challenges is essential if the EU and its members are to begin grappling with many of the issues examined in this special issue — ranging from the role of national diplomats in today's world to the successful pursuit of structural diplomacy and the effectiveness of the EU in multilateral organizations.

scholarly journals Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych – nowa jakość dyplomacji unijnej?

Politeja ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (54) ◽  
pp. 257-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Nitszke
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
External Action ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Treaty Of Lisbon ◽  
Legal Foundations ◽  
The Creation

European External Action Service – a New Quality of EU Diplomacy?The European External Action Service (EEAS) was established based on the Treaty of Lisbon. The objective of the creation of the EEAS was to increase the role of the European Union in the international arena and increase the effectiveness of the Union’s external actions. The aim of the article is to discuss the international position of the Union and its international roles, and then to present the legal foundations of the EEAS. The next part analyzes changes in the functioning of the EEAS undertaken by both high representatives – Catherine Ashton and Federica Mogherini. In conclusion, an attempt was made to answer the question of whether the European Union needs autonomous diplomacy and whether the EEAS can be treated as EU diplomacy.

The European External Action Service:A Pivotal Actor in EU Foreign Policy Communications?

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Bicchi
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
External Action ◽  
Information Gathering ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Foreign Policy ◽  
Under Construction

Summary This article analyses the role of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in EU foreign policy communications. Having cumulated a number of pre-existing functions, the EEAS is situated at the centre of the existing communication systems used in the European Union in relation to matters of foreign policy. Moreover, the EEAS is contributing to the expansion of the existing practice of foreign policy communications in three ways. First, it has affected the direction of communication flows in the most well-established (but now declining) communication system — the COREU/CORTESY network — as a growing proportion of messages now originate in Brussels. Second, the EEAS is developing an autonomous EU capacity for information gathering, as EU delegations regularly draft political reports. Third, the EEAS has contributed to the expansion of information sharing in consular affairs, which is an area of mixed and contested competences. The EEAS is thus a key actor in EU foreign policy communications, although practices are forever shifting and its role is still under construction.

scholarly journals Globalna strategia Unii Europejskiej: refleksja konstruktywistyczna

Politeja ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (55) ◽  
pp. 129-151
Author(s):  
Filip Tereszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
External Action ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Security Strategy ◽  
Foreign And Security Policy ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
The Eu

European Union Global Strategy: a Constructivist ReflectionThis paper examines the potential of a constructivist approach in analysing the European Union’s security strategy area. It focuses on the new EU Global Strategy (EUGS), which was adopted by the Council at the end of June 2016. First, the methodology is explained, followed by discussing the consequence of using the document’s language for EU identity. The paper then focuses on the new title of the strategy that shows a new approach to security strategies within the European External Action Service’s staff. The consequences of building a narrative about the “threatened” but also “needed” and “influential” European Union are underlined here. Furthermore, the new role of the EU in the international scene is described, focusing on the shift from the EU as a civilian power to the EU as a normal power, with an emphasis on the importance of the preservation of the EU as a normative power. The conclusions from using a constructivist approach to examine the EUGS are then presented, which show that mechanisms of the logics of appropriateness, consequence, and persuasion are observed within the document. Moreover, the language of the EUGS could have an influence on EU identity and role on the global stage. The constructivist approach proves that the EU external actions are continuously under construction, and the EUGS is the next step in achieving a more coherent and effective European foreign and security policy.

THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-131
Author(s):  
Mbuzeni Mathenjwa
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Local Government ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
African Union ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Status ◽  
Administrative Units

The place and role of local government within the structure of government in Africa has attracted much public interest. Prior to and after independence, African countries used local government as the administrative units of central governments without their having any legal status, to the extent that local authorities were under the strict control of central governments. The autonomy of local government is pivotal in the democratisation of a country. The United Nations, European Union and African Union have adopted treaties to promote the recognition and protection of local government in the state parties’ constitutions. Accordingly, this article explains the status of local government in Africa and its impact on strengthening democracy in African states.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document