Too Small to Make an Impact?

This book argues that the Czech Republic's ability to translate its foreign policy preferences regarding Russia and the larger post-Soviet space into the EU's foreign policy making varies across issue areas and time. Assessed policy areas are the European Union's external energy and democratization policies and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Do small EU member states exert influence over the EU's foreign policy-making process? Ten years after the Czech Republic joined the European Union, Marek Neuman attempts to answer this question by looking into whether Prague succeeded in translating its foreign policy preferences vis-à-vis Russia and the larger post-Soviet space into the EU's foreign policy making. Looking at three policy portfolios the EU's Eastern neighborhood, energy security, and external democratization he argues that the Czech influence varies across issue areas and time. In studying the role of member states in EU foreign policy formation, he concludes that three master variables quality of the national preference, ability to position oneself as a norm entrepreneur, and the character of interstate negotiations together with one's negotiation skills determine a state's ability to make a difference in Brussels.

Autorentext

Marek Neuman is Assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations and International Organization at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands). His research concentrates on the role Central and Eastern European states play within European Union policy making, primarily focusing on the Union s foreign policy portfolio.

Klappentext

Do small EU member states exert influence over the EU s foreign policy-making process? Ten years after the Czech Republic joined the European Union, Marek Neuman attempts to answer this question by looking into whether Prague succeeded in translating its foreign policy preferences vis-à-vis Russia and the larger post-Soviet space into the EU s foreign policy making. Looking at three policy portfolios the EU s Eastern neighborhood, energy security, and external democratization he argues that the Czech influence varies across issue areas and time. In studying the role of member states in EU foreign policy formation, he concludes that three master variables quality of the national preference, ability to position oneself as a norm entrepreneur, and the character of interstate negotiations together with one s negotiation skills determine a state s ability to make a difference in Brussels.

Inhalt
Contents: European Union Czech Republic Small member states Foreign policy Russia Post-Soviet space European Neighbourhood Policy Eastern Partnership Energy security External democracy promotion.