Diplomacy has undergone considerable transformations in the 21st century and is today facing complex and often new challenges in a multipolar and more disruptive world. This compulsory course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the diplomacy of the European Union (EU) as a multilateral actor in this intricate global context by adopting a practical perspective. It starts with an introduction to what diplomacy is, how EU diplomacy differs from national diplomacy, what the roles and required professional and inter-personal skills of diplomats are, and which diplomatic tools the EU has at its disposal. The course is structured around concrete case studies to assess the objectives, instruments, mechanisms, and impact of EU diplomacy. These include, for instance, the EU’s recent developments of relations with major powers like the United States, China and Russia, the EU’s negotiations with Iran and engagement in Afghanistan as well as the crafting and roll-out of its new Indo-Pacific strategy. In studying these cases, the course addresses both the internal and external dimensions of EU diplomacy. Internally, the relevant inter-institutional relations, in particular between the European External Action Service, the European Commission and the Council, as well as the European Parliament are investigated. Specific practices such as actor analysis through foresight and intelligence, political reporting and social media communication will also be illustrated. Externally, the range of diplomatic means employed by the EU as well as the expectations and perceptions that foreign actors have of EU diplomacy in normal times and under conditions of crisis are discussed. Due attention is also paid to questions of cross-cultural communication and stakeholder engagement. The course considers how the EU can make best use of its leverage across EU policy areas with external impact.
Professor: Gunnar WIEGAND