Differentiated cooperation as the mode of governance in EU foreign policy

Abstract

Manuscript -with author detailsWhile the standard conceptualization of differentiation in the European Union (EU) focuses on differentiated integration, scholars devote less attention to differentiated cooperation. This article argues, on the contrary, that member states' engagement in differentiated efforts in EU foreign policy manifest themselves both in the form of differentiated integration and cooperation. It elaborates an original conceptual framework for exploring differentiated cooperation as a mode of governance. Drawing on the articles in this special issue, this introduction maps empirical manifestations of differentiated cooperation in various areas and dimensions of EU foreign policy. The results of the special issue show that differentiated cooperation has mostly manifested itself in informal patterns of cooperation, with the treaty-based mechanisms being limited. As such, the special issue reflects the differentiation and informalization processes occurring not only in the EU, but also in global governance more broadly.

Informal groupings as types of differentiated cooperation in EU foreign policy: the cases of Kosovo, Libya, and Syria

“…The article conceptualizes the informal groupings under examination as instances of differentiated cooperation. Based on such conceptualization, it employs and adapts the special issue's analytical framework to address their occurrence at a micro-level of analysis (Amadio Viceré & Sus, 2023). As envisaged in the special issue's framework, it builds on the scholarly literature on differentiated European integration to provide an explanation for the emergence of these groupings.…”

“…Drawing on the original conceptual framework outlined in the introduction to the special issue, the article conceptualizes the groupings considered as instances of differentiated cooperation (Amadio Viceré & Sus, 2023). It builds on insights from the scholarly literature on differentiated European integration to develop a theoretical approach accounting for the occurrence of these groupings.…”