Britain, France and Germany priorities for the European Union's security and defense policy
Loading...
Authors
Zimmermann, Lars
Subjects
Advisors
Yost, David S.
Date of Issue
2009-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis analyzes areas of consensus and distinctiveness in the security and defense policies of the European Union's three big powers: Britain, France and Germany. Owing in part to divergent historical experiences in the twentieth century and before, Britain, France and Germany have retained distinct national interests. These interests, in combination with each country's individual security cultures, have determined British, French and German priorites for the European Union's Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). German has advocated the concept of "civilian power Europe," while Britain and France have sought to strengthen the EU's military capabilities. Furthermore, London and Paris continue to have national security objectives that are not reflected in the ESDP. While Germany's security and defense agenda beyond NATO is almost entirely supported by the ESDP, Britain and France pursue security and defense policy agendas outside the European Union's framework on a national basis. However, there are sign of convergence in the views of London, Paris and Berlin. Examples include the general consensus on threat perceptions, the more compatible policies toward NATO, the limited progress in the European Union headquarters debate, the conduct of several civil and military ESDP operations, and last but not least the very existence of the December 2003 European Security Strategy.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xvi, 95 p. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.