Synopsis of EIF project “EU Policies in a Global Perspectiveâ€

Urgent challenges facing the European Union today, such as the risk of climate change or the stability of financial markets, are global in nature, exceeding the problem-solving capacity of nation states and even the EU. While the demand for global governance solutions is rising, the capacity of the EU to shape global policy outcomes in line with its domestic policy solutions faces important limitations. The EU has been able to exercise decisive influence in at least some policy areas, most importantly in writing the rules of the world trade regime in tandem with the US until the 1990s. Yet the emergence of the BRIC countries along with other important changes at the international level increasingly circumscribes EU influence. Providing a synopsis of our research project, this working paper addresses key opportunities and constraints faced by the EU in a changing international system. It also makes recommendations for an effective European role in global governance. However, please be aware that only the full-length version can do justice to the complexities of the research project with its in-depth questions, methods and findings.