NATURE, EMERGENCE, AND LIMITATIONS OF AN EU STRATEGIC CULTURE1

Christoph O. Meyer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter argues that strategic culture, whether at the level of society, political elites, or military organizations, transcends official strategy documents and planning papers even if the process and outcomes of strategy-writing helps to constitute, reaffirm, and occasionally also challenge and change ideas supported by such cultures. Meyer asserts that the hallmark of the European Union’s (EUs) emergent strategic culture is precisely its capability and drive to harness civilian tools for the purpose of safeguarding not just EU citizens’ security but also the human security of foreign citizens. The author concludes it is possible to identify elements of an evolving EU-specific strategic culture that is distinct from those of its member states, yet that is also clearly influenced and constrained by their respective strategic cultures. The chapter notes that with the departure of the UK from the EU, much will depend on the direction and speed of cultural change in Germany and the handling of future crises between the EU’s most capable powers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRoutledge Handbook of Strategic Culture
PublisherTaylor and Francis AS
Pages106-120
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781000956320
ISBN (Print)9780367445485
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'NATURE, EMERGENCE, AND LIMITATIONS OF AN EU STRATEGIC CULTURE1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this