New textbook: The External Action of the European Union

Sieglinde GSTÖHL, Director of Studies, and Simon SCHUNZ, Professor in the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies, at the College of Europe, have just published the edited volume “The External Action of the European Union: Concepts, Approaches, Theories”. Over the past decades, the European Union has progressively developed into a significant global actor in an increasing number of policy fields. This groundbreaking new textbook offers extensive coverage of EU External Action Studies by looking into different ways of conceptualizing the EU as a global actor, the processes and impact of EU external action, explanations offered by International Relations and integration theories as well as insights from the ‘decentring agenda’ for EU foreign policy. It offers a reader-friendly guidance with each chapter introducing one concept, approach or theory and illustrating its application by a case study. In drawing the different perspectives together, the book underscores that ‘EU External Action Studies’ is becoming an academic speciality of its own. Written by leading experts, it makes essential reading for students, scholars and practitioners in this field.

A virtual book launch event with some of the contributors takes place on 20 April 2021.