WP1: European non-traditional security theory by Rita Floyd & Stuart Croft

Abstract: Debate about the nature of security has flourished in many parts of the world since before the end of the Cold War. Throughout that time, Europe has proved to be a major focus for research in what has been termed non-traditional – in some ways, non-American – security studies. Ours is not an argument about ownership: one can find non-traditional security studies globally, yet there has been a consistency to the development of non-traditional theorising in Europe, often facilitated by research grants from bodies such as the European Union. With ‘securitisation theory’, ‘emancipation theory’ and ‘insecuritisation theory’ three theories have developed in particular.

Whilst much has been written about the theoretical details of each of these theories their empirical application remains comparatively scant. Informed by the beliefs that a) only empirical applications will solve some of the theoretical dilemmas inherent to each theory, and b) that the utility of theory can ultimately only be assessed through practical utility, our aim in this essay is to animate scholars to apply these theories to empirical research.

Consult Working Paper 1

WP2: EU security governance by Michela Ceccorulli, Ruth Hanau Santini, Lorenzo Fioramonti and Sonia Lucarelli

Abstract: The aim of this work is to provide informed insights about the main understandings on security governance. ‘Security governance’ as a concept is investigated, and the theoretical assumptions upon which or against which the term is built presented. Security governance literature lacks of a reflection upon the understanding and construction of ‘security’; instead, attempts at bridging the literature on security with that on security governance may enhance the theoretical and empirical relevance of the term. The analysis of the European system of security governance will emphasise how the post-Westphalian nature of states within Europe renders security regulation efforts different from those of other systems.

Against this background, prospect of cooperation do not only depend on the possible exportation of the European system of security governance, but also on compatible interests among different actors and on European reliability as a security actor in cooperative efforts.

Consult Working Paper 2

WP3: Mapping Bilateralism by Oz Hassan

Abstract: This paper outlines the current status of EU-Bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, China, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Japan, Libya, Pakistan, Russia and the United States of America. By providing an overview of these cases, the paper seeks to detail the nature of the EU bilateral relations with these countries and provide information to be used as part of the wider EU-GRASP project. It does this, by firstly defining the parameters of the term bilateralism, and then detailing the relationship by looking at Cooperation on Regional Conflict, Cooperation on Terrorism, Cooperation on WMD, Cooperation on Migration, Cooperation on Human Rights and Cooperation on Energy Security and Climate Change where applicable.

Consult Working Paper 3

WP4: Mapping Interregionalism by Helena Rignér & Fredrik Söderbaum

Abstract: This working paper “maps” the EU’s interregional relationship with Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean. The study serves as an inroad to deeper analysis within the EU-GRASP project, it is therefore restricted to a descriptive “mapping” rather than an “explanation” of various types of region-to-region relations. The paper focuses on the six security issues emphasised upon in the EU-GRASP project: regional conflict, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism, migration, energy and climate change, and human rights.

The mapping shows that the EU’s involvement in interregionalism is a mixed bag both with regard to the security issues as well as counterparts. The EU’s interregional relationship with Africa is particularly comprehensive, resulting in that EU-Africa relations is given most attention.

Consult Working Paper 4

WP5: Mapping of EU Global Cooperation by Emmanuel Fanta

Abstract: As a regional actor with ambition of becoming a global actor, the European Union has engaged itself in various frameworks of cooperation at the global level. Still, when the EU engages with international institutions that have a global scope it has to manage with the internal governance of these institutions and the fact that most of these institution find it difficult to accommodate with the complexity of the European Union. By focussing on the six security issues that have been selected for the EU-GRASP project, this paper examines the way the EU has elaborated its cooperation with a variety of international institutions that have a global scope.

The most important among these is the UN with whom the EU has developed cooperation at different levels and works with the Security Council, the General Assembly as well as the different UN Departments and Agencies. The other institutions under review in this paper include the different multilateral frameworks for disarmament, the OSCE and the ICC.

Consult Working paper 5