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While it was already used punctually throughout the 2000s, it was in the 2010s when it started to become mainstream. For instance, after the "shock" of 2016, when both the election of Donald Trump as President of the US and Brexit took place.
What do we mean by "geoeconomic turn" of the EU?
The EU’s ‘geoeconomic turn’ describes the increasing integration of international security considerations into EU economic policies.
Which years was the Anti-Coercion Instrument adopted?
2023
What are the two main poles confronting in the new geopolitical scenario?
The United States, leader of the West, vs China, leader of the East
What nickname has the European Commission obtained in recent years, due to its more assertive role in international politics?
"Geopolitical Commission"
Difference between "relative gains" in a geoeconomic international system, and "absolute gains" in a more liberal economic order.
Relative gains are those that one power can get to improve or maintain its relative power vis à vis another rival power. It is a zeru-sum based game, in which if one country wins, others will lose. This contrasts with absolute gains, typical of liberal economic orders, which everyone can obtain by participating in free trade, derregulation, and privatisation. It is a positive-sum game, in which all countries benefit.
Who determines whether coercion is taking place in the ACI's mechanism, the European Commission or the member states?
The member states, in the Council of the EU, take that decision.
What is the engine of European integration, and the basis for the EU's international influence?
The EU's Single Market
What does "open strategic autonomy" mean for the EU, in nowadays' changing geopolitical scenario?
The EU's open strategic autonomy refers to the EU's ability to act autonomously (i.e. without depending on other countries) in strategically important policy areas, linked to both the economic and non economic spheres. The “open” signals the EU’s willingness to remain and open, not isolationist economic power, while also attaining more self-sufficiency.
What are the main drivers of the EU's geopolitical turn, internal or external factors?
The main drivers of EU power shifts are often extra-European (e.g., the US–China tech and trade war), rather than purely internal dynamics.
Is the ACI a defensive or offensive geoeconomic tool and why?
The ACI is a defensive tool designed to deter third countries from using economic coercion—actions or threats affecting trade or investment—to force the EU or its member states to change their sovereign political choices. So, it is only use to defend the EU's interests from external threats and coercion.
What is "superficial geopolitisation"?
Occurs when declared policy goals reflect geoeconomic considerations, but policy practice shows limited change due to institutional resistance or conflicting views. An example is the concept of 'strategic autonomy' or the initial aspirations for 'European digital sovereignty'
What are the geopolitical constraints making it difficult to attain strategic autonomy in the EU? Explain their approach
Clue: division in two rival groups
This tension divides actors who favour retaining Europe’s close alignment with the US-led international order (Atlanticists) from those who want Europe to take a stronger, independent role in defence (Europeanists).
Could you explain why scholars believe the geoeconomic turn in the EU relies on domestic functional spillovers?
Because there is a growing linking between the integrated economic sector with the traditionally intergovernmental security sector, due to a more assertive geopolitical scenario. Economic tools are being used for international security objectives, and security considerations are being taken as to protect economic goals of the EU.
What is the voting procedure employed by member states in the Council of the EU in the ACI, as to determine whether coercion is occuring or not?
Qualified majority voting
Explain the geoeconomics dilemma the EU has been facing these past few years.
The EU faces a self-fulfilling geoeconomics dilemma: the more the EU responds to external pressures by focusing on relative gains and adopting geoeconomic measures, the more it contributes to the fragmentation of the liberal order it traditionally promoted
Neo-mercantilists vs. Neoliberals: This tension reflects a conflict over the degree to which Europe should be open to global market forces.
What do these two concepts refer to? Give an example if you can think of any:
- Positive Geoeconomics
- Negative Geoeconomics
Positive Geoeconomics: Strengthen A's power over B
a) Coercion (offensive): Imposing sanctions or leveraging B’s dependence to force concessions. For example, sanctions against Russia.
b) Deterrence (defensive): Leveraging B’s dependence on A to discourage B from attacking A. For example, Anti-Coercion Instrument.
Negative Geoeconomics: Reduce A's dependence on B.
a) Backlash Reduction (Offensive): Reducing A’s dependence on B before or during an attack on B. For instance, RePowerEU, as to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels after the war in Ukraine.
b) Protection (Defensive): Reducing the EU’s vulnerability to external actors. E.g., FDI screening
Why the EU had a very uneven compentence base in trade and security?
Because the EU was very strong in trade and economics, but its competences in security and CFSP were poor and underdeveloped. This made it difficult to connect the security and economic areas in the new geopolitical landscape, where this has become more necessary than ever before.
Classify the following as deep, reluctant, or superficial geopolitisation:
a) RePowerEU
b) Anti-Coercion Instrument
c) Strategic autonomy of the EU
a) Deep geopolitisation
b) Reluctant geopolitisation
c) Superficial geopolitisation