Navigating the Unknown: Barriers to Evidence-Based Defence and Security Policy in the European Union

Benedict Wilkinson*, Maria Giulia Amadio Viceré, Erin Montague

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
184 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

At a time when Europe faces numerous crises, there is a real need for rigorous evidence to underpin effective policymaking. However, a gap between academia and policy creates clear obstacles in the use of evidence in policymaking. Many of these enduring obstacles are manifest in the inherent differences between separate communities: academics have difficulty communicating research in an applicable manner, and policymakers, in turn, tend to focus on operational motivations. The gap widens considerably when foreign, security and defence policy within the complex institutional structures of the European Union is considered. In addition to these well known barriers to evidence-based policy, there are two more obstacles in the defence and security space: sovereignty and dispersed decision-making. A dialogue of best practices must be opened up to broker knowledge in the EU context.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalThe International Spectator (Istituto Affari Internazionali)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2017
EventIAI Conference - Istituto Affari Internazionali, Rome, Italy
Duration: 22 Apr 2016 → …

Keywords

  • defence
  • EU
  • Evidence-based policy
  • foreign affairs
  • security

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