Dynamics behind the europeanization in crisis management under the EU’s security and defence policy

Abstract

This article argues that a regulative norm to act in unity and make the Security and Defence Policy work through crisis management missions is operative within the European Union. EU crisis management missions analysed here demonstrate that this normative concern has influenced the national preferences of even the larger member states, Britain and France. However, Europeanization of foreign and security policies of these two member states appears to take place easier if it does not collide with pre-existing norms and interests at the domestic and international levels. Norms and interests influential at other institutional contexts determine the scope conditions of Europeanization.