The securitization of the EU development policy

The securitization of the EU development policyBy Camelia VasilovFor European Integration Spring 2015Classifying and testing the existing hypotheses with regard to the role of the European External Action Service in Africa

OverviewA brief history of the security-development nexus*the case of EU in the 1990s2. What is securitization?*how EU securitized its development policy in Africa3. When and why EU did this? A review of the existing hypotheses*classifying the hypotheses under 3 major mechanisms + the constructivists4. How to test these hypotheses? Process tracing *the role assigned by the Treaty of Lisbon to the European External Action Service in Africa as significant evidence5. Conclusion, limitations and suggestions for further researchA brief history of the security-development nexusWestern countries justifying the need for development aidA very simple periodization would comprise three main periods: the Cold War, the 1990s and the post 9/11 decade (Beall, Goodfellow and Putzel 2006)

The case of EU in the 1990sSecurity issues were embodied in the second pillar of integration, namely the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Political aspects are clearly accounted for in the decisions of such institutions. Development aid was in the hands of non-politicized governmental agencies. At the level of EU, the worlds largest aid donor, development was carried by such specialized intergovernmental agencies like the EuropeAid Co-operation Office (AIDCO). What is securitization? Securitization = the process of presenting an issue in security terms (Buzan and Hansen 2009, 214)

The securitizing move is successful when poverty and structural underdevelopment are perceived as existential threats or that development is linked to other issues such as inter- and intra-state conflict, state failure or organized crime.

Can take two shapes: securitizing a development policy or securitizing the relations that the donor country has with a developing country or group of countries (Buzan and Waever 2003, 359)

ExampleSecurity is a necessary precondition for development. A contribution to the re-establishment of security and the promotion of peace, in countries and regions where there previously was systematic violence, crime and terror, is an investment in poverty reduction and economic growth [] Denmark is one of the first countries to establish clear principles for development activities against terrorism (DANIDA 2004).

The securitization of the EU development policies between agreement and disagreementAn agreement in the literature that EU has indeed securitized its development policies (Bagoyo and Gilbert 2009, Anderson and Williams 2011, Kaeukeleire and Raube 2013, Hout 2010).

Deep disagreement over a. when the securitization started and b. what caused it.

Example: Anderson and Williams (2011) suggest that EU is trying to achieve a more preeminent role on the international scene through securitization, Kaeukeleire and Raube (2013) believe that securitizing development is a way of refraining from any serious actions in either field and pursuing inward looking policies. Literature review: 3 types of mechanisms + 1 critique1. The changing conditions of the international environment 9/11 is the cause, but the technocratic tradition of the EU is the amplifier (Hout 2010)2. The previous experiences of the EU in the field of developmentEU learnt from previous experiences such as Yugoslavia and Uganda that security matters tooEU securitizes development out of habit, since for EU development and security are often connected in the European Neighboring Policy 3. The struggles of EU to become a fully-fledged stateproperly cultivated, foreign policy based on common values creates a vital link with the citizens (McDonald 2008)EU has a history of "experience and credibility" in the field of development - > EU developmentizes security issues in an attempt to achieve a clear identity as international actor (Anderson and Williams 2011)+ constructivists the change in discourse does not reflect any real change in policy implementation, or that the development discourse is used just as a way to make self-referential statements (Kaeukeleire and Raube 2013)Case study: Africa EU African security policies are often driven by internal power relations. (Bagoyo and Gilbert 2009)

Argument: the security institutions of the EU are fairly new and they need to get involved into projects and be active in order to achieve recognition. Since the EU has already well-established development directions, and this is the field where EU foreign policy makers experiment, it is more efficient for them to take over the existing development projects. Decision making on development in the EU after the Treaty of LisbonEEAS responsible for (1) allocation of funding(2) development of multi-annual country and regional strategies (3) development of national and regional indicative programmes. Some responsibilities retained within the European Commission in the EuropeAid Development and Cooperation DG (DEVCO) = Commissions former Directorate General for Development + EuropeAid. DG DEVCO is in charge of preparing thematic programmes and for policy development and implementation in the development sphere. In short, the division of responsibilities between the EEAS and the European Commission will split the aid programming cycle,Methodology: process tracingProcess tracing = the systematic examination of diagnostic evidence selected and analyzed in light of research questions and hypotheses posed by the investigator (Collier 2011, 823). By using a piece of diagnostic evidence the researcher can discriminate between competing hypotheses.Example: the idea that securitization is Europe is driven mainly by post 9/11 fears does not pass the hoop test of chronological causality: the Cotonou Agreement, which shows clears signs of securitization, was signed in 2000, before the event that supposedly caused the securitization.

Before and after the Lisbon Treaty: key differences in the role of EEAS as reflected in policy documents

Scholarly literature

OTHER LINKSEU LINKSKappler, S.,Local Agency and Peacebuilding. EU and International Engagement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus and South Africa, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.Bello, V. & Gebrewold, B. (eds.),A Global Security Triangle. European, African and Asian interaction, Abingdon, Routledge, 2013.Carbone, M. (ed.),The European Union in Africa. Incoherent policies, asymmetrical partnership, declining relevance?, Manchester, Manchester University Press, 2013.Haastrup, T.,Charting Transformation through Security. Contemporary EU-Africa Relations, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.Mangala, J. (ed.),Africa and the European Union. A Strategic Partnership, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.'Policy Arena: The EU and the ACP Group in a Changing Development Context',Journal of International Development, Vol. 25, 2013, pp. 714-756.Adebajo, A. & K. Whiteman (eds.),The EU and Africa: From Eurafrique to Afro-Europa, London, Hurst, 2012.Holland, M. & M. Doidge,The Development Policy of the European Union, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.Holslag, J., 'Special Issue: China's Evolving Africa Policy: The Limits of Socialization ',Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, Vol. 40, No. 4, 2011, pp. 3-173.Sicurelli, D.,The European Union's Africa Policies: Norms, Interests and Impact, Hampshire, Ashgate, 2010.Fioramonti, L.,European Union Democracy Aid: Supporting Civil Society in Post-Apartheid South Africa, London, Routledge, 2010.Pirozzi, N. (ed.),Ensuring Peace and Security in Africa: Implementing the New Africa-EU Partnership, Rome, Istituto Affari Internazionali, 2010.Sderbaum, F. & P. Stalgren (eds.),The European Union and the Global South, Boulder, Lynne Rienner, 2010.Cavatorta, F. & V. Durac (eds.),The Foreign Policies of the European Union and the United States in North Africa: Diverging or Converging Dynamics, London, Routledge, 2009.Bello, V. & B. Gebrewold (eds.),A Global Security Triangle: European, African and Asian Interaction, London, Routledge, 2009.Gebrewold, B. (ed.),Africa and Fortress Europe: Threats and Opportunities, Aldershot, Ashgate, 2007.Carbone, M.,The European Union and International Development: The Politics of Foreign Aid, London, Routledge, 2007.Berger, B. & U. Wissenbach, EUChinaAfrica trilateral development cooperation: common challenges and new directions,DIE Discussion Papers, Vol. 21, No. 34, 2007.

EU links and other sourcesDG DEVCO - ACPOverview of the work of DG Development and Cooperation in the ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific).http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/acp/overview/index_en.htmEEAS - EU delegation to the African UnionHomepage of the European Union's delegation to the African Union, providing news and information on the cooperation and relations between the two regional groups.http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/african_union/index_en.htmEEAS - The EU's relations with AfricaOverview of the European Union's relations with the African continent, including links to more specific areas of cooperation such as development aid and trade relations.http://eeas.eu/africa/index_en.htmEuropean Commission - DG EuropeAid Development & Cooperation (DEVCO)The Directorate-General EuropeAid Development & Cooperation of the European Commissionis responsible both for development policy in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement with the 77 ACP countries and for cooperation with and/or development support for countries in the EUs Easternneighbourhood, the Mediterranean, the Gulf region, Latin America, Asia and South Africa.http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htmEuropean Commission - DG Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO)The Directorate-General Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO) of the European Commissionmanages theEUs humanitarian aid and coordinates the EUs disaster responseinside and outside Europe.http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htmJoint Africa-EU strategyStrategy adopted in 2007, providing a long-term framework for EU-Africa relations.