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Norms or Interests? Explaining Instrumental Variation in EU Democracy Promotion in Africa

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  • Karen Del Biondo

Abstract

This article investigates the causes for instrumental variation in EU democracy promotion in Africa. Can instrumental variation better be explained from a realist or from an idealist perspective? Realism would predict that sanctions are more likely in the absence of historical, security or commercial interests. Idealism would suggest that sanctions are more likely in the case of grave violations of democracy and human rights, in countries that are unstable and economically underperforming, and when there is pressure from regional organizations and domestic actors. Empirically, the article compares two cases (Guinea and Niger) where the EU imposed sanctions and two non-cases (Ethiopia and Rwanda) where the EU was reluctant to do so. Contrary to the prevalent thesis in the literature, the article finds stronger evidence for idealism (which is confirmed in all the cases) than for realism (which is only confirmed in the cases of Guinea and Ethiopia).

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  • Karen Del Biondo, 2015. "Norms or Interests? Explaining Instrumental Variation in EU Democracy Promotion in Africa," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(2), pages 237-254, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:53:y:2015:i:2:p:237-254
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/jcms.12169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebastian Silva-Leander, 2008. "On the Danger and Necessity of Democratisation: trade-offs between short-term stability and long-term peace in post-genocide Rwanda," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(8), pages 1601-1620.
    2. Jeremy Keenan, 2008. "Uranium Goes Critical in Niger: Tuareg RebellionsThreaten Sahelian Conflagration," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(117), pages 449-466, September.
    3. March, James G. & Olsen, Johan P., 1998. "The Institutional Dynamics of International Political Orders," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 52(4), pages 943-969, October.
    4. Beyers, Jan, 2005. "Multiple Embeddedness and Socialization in Europe: The Case of Council Officials," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 59(4), pages 899-936, October.
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    1. Simone Manfredi & Marlene Jugl, 2024. "Tackling Unintended Consequences of EU Sanctions: NGOs' Advocacy for Humanitarian Exceptions," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(6), pages 1519-1537, November.
    2. Wolfgang Wagner, 2017. "Liberal Power Europe," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(6), pages 1398-1414, November.

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