This paper explores the nature of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy and its influence on the path to European strategic autonomy, which has increasingly become salient in EU politics in the...Show moreThis paper explores the nature of the EU Common Security and Defense Policy and its influence on the path to European strategic autonomy, which has increasingly become salient in EU politics in the past few years. Not only because of military escalation in the East or the instability in the European Neighbourhood with regard to migration, but upheaval in the structures we thought to be invincible as well: America and NATO, and Brexit. Unexpected changes don’t necessarily lead to instability when autonomy is guaranteed. How can this be achieved for the EU? After analysing said influence in four dimensions of European strategic autonomy, the reader is presented with the conclusion that the CSDP has only had a relatively small influence, and many problems with its DNA prevent the Union from taking the steps required to become self-sufficient in an increasingly hostile environment.Show less
The purpose of this study is to see if the collective action perspective can explain the contribution of the Netherlands to this Strategic Compass. The Strategic Compass was set up to give the...Show moreThe purpose of this study is to see if the collective action perspective can explain the contribution of the Netherlands to this Strategic Compass. The Strategic Compass was set up to give the European Union a direction for a common defence policy, enabling the European Union to act more independently and be better prepared. This study looked at the Strategic Compass from three levels: the national, EU, and international levels. Additional factors were added that play a mediating role in international defence cooperation to see if these were also essential in the case of the Strategic Compass. The levels mentioned above and factors were examined through document analysis and six interviews with actively involved policy advisors, experts, and an active officer in the Armed Forces. One of the most important findings of this study is that there is a realisation within the European Union that the organisation must take responsibility for its defence policy and that the Strategic Compass can provide a direction for the EU which has been missing. In addition, the Netherlands has not contributed enough in recent years and is now improving this with a more active role and investment in defence. Therefore, the Strategic Compass fits well with the policy the Dutch government wants to implement. The study shows that the collective action perspective can be successfully used to explain the contribution of the Netherlands to the Strategic Compass. Nevertheless, according to the document and interview analysis, several factors were essential, including trust, standardisation, sovereignty, and interoperability. Based on this research, the study recommends that the collective action perspective be used more often to analyse European forms of cooperation, such as the missions of the Rapid Deployment Capacity. In addition, the study recommends exploring the opinions of soldiers currently active in international missions to see how they view cooperation with other armed forces. Finally, it indicates why the Netherlands should take its active role seriously and follow the example of France and Germany.Show less
