International development and the European Union's external policies: changing contexts, problematic nexuses, contested partnerships

Abstract

This special section explores and explains how the European Union's (EU's) overall approach to international development has evolved since the beginning of the twenty-first century. At the international level, the rise of a group of emerging economies has not only provided developing countries with greater choices, but has also further enhanced their agency, thus questioning the EU's leadership and even relevance in international development. At the European level, the various (paradigmatic) shifts in each of the three key external policies-trade, security and foreign policy-and the EU's aspiration to project a coherent external action have collided with the EU's commitment to international development. Numerous tensions characterize the various nexuses in EU external relations, which ultimately challenge the EU's international legitimacy and (selfproclaimed) identity as a champion of the interests of the developing world. Nevertheless, the EU has made more progress than is generally acknowledged in making its external policies more coherent with its development policy. Moreover, the EU's relationship with developing countries has gradually become less asymmetrical, though not because of the EU's emphasis on partnership and ownership but more because of the increased agency of developing countries.

Beyond Economic Partnership Agreements: the European Union and the trade–development nexus

“…More generally, the commitments on aid volume and aid effectiveness (Carbone 2013a) have been complemented by a stronger emphasis, although with disappointing results, on 'policy coherence for development' (PCD): a number of non-aid policies are seen as having an equal, if not higher, impact on developing countries (Carbone 2008). At the same time, development policy is becoming more integrated into broader EU external relations (Gänzle et al 2012, Carbone 2013b. This could entail a stronger EU-wide commitment to development, but it could also mean that development considerations will become overshadowed by 'superpower temptations' (Orbie 2012).…”

Towards convergence and cooperation in the global development finance regime: closing Africa's policy space?

“…During this Forum, European officials tried to persuade China, Brazil and India to sign up to voluntary principles on aid effectiveness on condition that the special nature of South-South cooperation was recognized (Africa -Asia Confidential 2011a). The effect was that the aid effectiveness debate headed by the EU was replaced by a broader development effectiveness debate that took the 'emerging' donors' development finance mechanisms into account (Carbone 2013).…”

Reshaping European Union development policy: collective choices and the new global order

“…There is need for a rethink of EPA negotiations taking into account current developments and the rise of emerging economies. The increasing agency of developing countries to the usual beneficiaries of EU development aid is already seen as a major reason behind the reducing asymmetrical power between the EU and the developing world (Carbone 2013a), and the role played by the new donors cannot be behind this agency is hard to challenge. Additionally, this new context is expected to further enhance this contradiction as the EU tries to adjust its development policy in response to the continent´s financial and economic crisis.…”