Ben Jones

The aim of my thesis is to attempt to explain the uneven historical and geographical development of defence cooperation initiatives in Europe, particularly those distinguished by features of mutual dependence. I am also interested in understanding how states are able to cooperate closely in such sensitive areas of national policy. In terms of theory, I am interested in contributing to the developement of a realist or 'solidified constructivism' and the potential for critical realism to underpin a theoretical synthesis that is able to consider material, ideational and historical factors in the study of social phenomena in world politics.

I am also interested in British politics, particularly foreign policy, including Britain's membership of the EU and US-UK relations.

Franco-British and other examples of European defence cooperation distinguished by features of mutual dependence. CSDP, CFSP. British politics, particularly foreign policy - EU and UK-US relationship.

After graduation from Cambridge I spent four years in Brussels, as a stagiaire at the European Commission, Political Assistant to Diana Wallis MEP, and finally as Head of Media for the British Liberal Democrat MEPs.

In 2005 I served as Chief Press Officer for the Britain in Europe campaign, after which I became Foreign Affairs and Defence Adviser to the Liberal Democrats at Westminster, working up to the 2010 General Election. I have also worked in commercial public affairs roles in both Brussels and London.

In 2008 I was invited by the United States Department of State to join their International Vistor Leadership Programme, witnessing first-hand the campaign and election of President Obama.

In Autmn 2010 I was a Visiting Fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies in Paris where I authored the paper, "Franco-British military cooperation: a new engine for European defence?'. 

I am currently Chair of the Liberal Democrat policy working group on Europe.