Regional Studies in Public Diplomacy: Europe
University of Southern California
PUBD 520
Regional Studies in Public Diplomacy: Europe
Mondays 2-4:50pm, GFS 201
Prof. Mai’a K. Davis Cross
Office Location: VKC 343 Office Hours: Mondays, noon-2pm
Course Description
This course examines the intersection of international relations theory and public diplomacy in the context of Europe. The emphasis is on how the evolving nature of the European Union has impacted the tools of public diplomacy. The course is divided into three sections. The first section provides a foundation by exploring the historical development of the EU, how it works today, and the international relations theories that attempt to explain it.
The second section of the course explores the multi-layered nature (supranational, national, subnational, transnational) of public diplomacy in contemporary Europe. The nature of the EU as a quasi-federal entity, with both state and non-state characteristics, makes a coherent program of public diplomacy challenging. There are numerous historical, ideational, political, and material variables that impact how Europe, as well as the states and regions within Europe, exercise soft power. In particular, the issue of identity may be an important pre-requisite for effective public diplomacy. But there is much debate over what constitutes identity, how citizens within Europe grapple with multiple and competing identities, and whether a “European” identity is possible.
The final section of the course delves into a number of critical policy case studies – media, environment, transatlantic relationship, and constitutional questions, among others – to apply the concepts and theories covered earlier in the course. Students will be asked to prepare a presentation on a specific policy area or international actor of their choice. Discussions will explore what factors best explain public diplomacy outcomes, and what may constitute future policy prescriptions.
At the end of this course, students should have a grasp of:
· IR theories explaining the historical creation of the EU
· How the EU works today and current challenges
· Issues of integration and identity within Europe
· The multi-leveled aspect of public diplomacy within Europe
· How identity, norms, and values impact public diplomacy
Course requirements
Students must write a 20-30 page research paper pertaining to the issue of European public diplomacy. The paper must have a theoretical component as well as demonstrate significant empirical research. A draft of the paper is due by week 12, and the final paper is due on the last day of class. Students will present their research papers on the last day.
Class participation is required. Each meeting will have both lecture and discussion components. Students must write a 2-page response paper for nine of the class meetings. Discussion/response questions will be distributed in advance of each class meeting. Papers are due as a Word email attachment by 10am each Monday.
Students will be required to give a 15-minute formal presentation on a specific policy area and/or international actor (state, region, network, institution, etc.) at some point during weeks 9-14. This presentation should incorporate outside research. Presentation guidelines will be provided. Professor will lead a brief Q&A after each presentation.
Grade breakdown
Research paper 30%
Attendance & Class participation 20%
Response papers 20%
Presentation 10%
Final take-home exam 20%
Book List: Required
· John McCormick, Understanding the European Union, Palgrave, 2008. Fourth Edition.
· Brent F. Nelson, The European Union: Readings on the Theory and Practice of European Integration, Lynne Rienner, 2003.
· Marion Demossier (ed.), The European Puzzle, Berghahn, 2007.
· Jeremy Rifkin, The European Dream, Penguin, 2005.
Book List: Recommended
· Desmond Dinan, Ever Closer Union: An Introduction to European Integration, Lynne Rienner, 2005.
· Ben Rosamond, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave, 2000.
· John McCormick, The European Superpower, Palgrave, 2006.
Useful Websites
· http://ics.leeds.ac.uk/papers/vf01.cfm?folder=7&outfit=pmt – PD links
· www.euobserver.com – daily online newspaper focused on EU issues
· www.ft.com – Financial Times, very good coverage on EU developments
· http://www.europa.eu – official site of the European Union
· http://www.iss-eu.org/ - Chaillot Papers for research on security issues
· http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/profiles.php - cultural policies of European countries
· And a fun resource: http://www.youtube.com/user/eutube (EU YouTube)
Class Schedule In-Brief
Part I: Foundations & Theories of European Integration
1. Overview of the course
2. The evolution of the EU
3. How the EU works
Part II: Multi-level Public Diplomacy
4. The Tools of Public Diplomacy & IR Theory: Material & Ideational resources
5. National level part I
6. National level part II
7. Subnational and regional levels
8. Supranational & transnational levels
Part III: Policy areas & Public Diplomacy
9. Media
10. Enlargement
11. Environment & Economy
12. Internal & External Security
13. The Transatlantic Relationship
14. A European Constitution?
Conclusion: Student presentation of research papers
Reading Schedule
Part I: Foundations & Theories of European Integration
In this first section of the course, we will examine the evolution of the EU from inception to today, and discuss current debates surrounding its role in international relations. We will use international relations theory as a toolbox for explaining the process of integration. This section sets the necessary groundwork for later exploration of the complex and multi-leveled apparatus of public diplomacy in Europe.
8/25/08 Week 1: Course Overview (101 pages)
Go over the course requirements and expectations. Introduce the main concepts of international relations theory that will form the building-blocks to the study of public diplomacy in Europe.
· McCormick, “What is the European Union?” Understanding the European Union. pp. 1-22.
· Sergio Pistone, “Altiero Spinelli and the Strategy for the United States of Europe,” The European Union, pp. 91-98
· David Mitrany, “A Working Peace System,” The European Union. pp. 99-119
· Winston S. Churchill, “The Tragedy of Europe,” The European Union. pp. 7-11.
· Ernst B. Haas, “The Uniting of Europe,” The European Union, pp. 145-149
· Rifkin, The European Dream. pp. 1-8, 13-16, 44-57, 197-213.
9/8/08 Week 2: Historical Development of the EU (123 pages)
Examine the process that shaped Europe into its current structure. Highlight five major theories that attempt to explain integration: federalism, (neo-)functionalism, rationalism, historical institutionalism, and constructivism.
· McCormick, “The Evolution of the EU,” Understanding the European Union. pp. 45-68.
· Robert Schuman, “The Schuman Declaration,” The European Union, pp. 13-14.
· Jean Monnet, “A Ferment of Change,” The European Union, pp. 19-26.
· Charles de Gaulle, “A Concert of European States,” The European Union, pp. 27-44.
· “Preamble to the Single European Act,” The European Union, pp. 45-47.
· Margaret Thatcher, “A Family of Nations,” The European Union, pp. 49-54.
· Jacques Delors, “A Necessary Union,” The European Union, pp. 55-64.
· “Preamble to the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht),” The European Union, pp. 65-66.
· Mark A. Pollack, “Theorizing the European Union: International Organization, Domestic Polity, or Experiment in New Governance?” in American Review of Political Science, Vol. 8, 2005. pp. 357-368 only. Blackboard.
· Paul Pierson, “The Path to European Union: An Historical Institutionalist Account,” Comparative Political Studies. 29: 2 (April 1996) pp. 123-164 Blackboard.
· Recommended:
o McCormick, “The Idea of Europe,” Understanding the European Union, pp. 23-44.
o Rosamond, Ben. “Neofunctionalism” from Theories of European Integration (Houndmills: Palgrave, 2000) pp. 50-73. Blackboard
o Desmond Dinan, Ever Closer Union: An Introduction to European Integration, Lynne Rienner, 2005.
9/15/08 Week 3: How the EU works today (98 pages, skim 28 pages)
Gain an understanding of the major EU institutions, how they operate, and their role in public diplomacy. Consider the debate between intergovernmentalism and supranationalism. Determine whether there is a case to be made that Europe suffers from a so-called democratic deficit, and examine how this may impact public diplomacy.
· McCormick, “The European Institutions,” Understanding the European Union. pp. 69-93.
· Liesbet Hooghe, The European Commission and the integration of Europe: images of governance, Cambridge University Press, 2001. Ch. 1, pp. 6-30. Blackboard.
· David Judge and David Earnshaw, “Locating the European Parliament,” in The European Parliament, (The European Union series) Palgrave Press. pp. 7-25. Blackboard.
· Frank Decker, “Governance beyond the nation-state. Reflections on the democratic deficit of the European Union,” Journal of European Public Policy, 9:2, April 2002, pp. 256-272. Blackboard.
· Quaglia and Moxon-Browne, “What Makes a Good EU Presidency? Italy and Ireland Compared,” Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol. 44, Number 2, 2006. pp. 349-65. Blackboard.
· Explore: http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/lang/en/accueil for latest info on the current Presidency (France)
· Skim the charts: Zweifel, “…Who is without sin cast the first stone: The EU’s democratic deficit in comparison,” Journal of European Public Policy, 9:5, October 2002, 812-840. Blackboard.
· Recommended:
o Neill Nugent, The European Commission, (The European Union series) Palgrave Press. Ch. 1, pp. 6-18. Blackboard.
o McCormick, “The EU and its Citizens,” Understanding the European Union, pp. 119-141.
o Ben Rosamond, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave, 2000.
Part II: Multi-level Public Diplomacy
Examine primary and secondary sources describing the EU’s intended public diplomacy agenda, and begin to decipher the various ways in which public diplomacy is multileveled (supranational, transnational, national, and sub-national).
9/22/08 Week 4: The Tools of Public Diplomacy & IR Theory: Material & Ideational resources (100 pages)
Introduce the concepts of soft power and public diplomacy in the context of the European Union. What is the EU’s reputation in world politics? How much soft power does it have? What are people’s perceptions of Europe? How can we measure success and failure in public diplomacy efforts? We will assess the utility of material versus ideational tools, as well as informational versus action-oriented tools.
Material resources: Are public diplomacy efforts media-driven? Are they expertise-driven? Do PD efforts tend to be expensive or resource-intensive? Do they require a large organizational base or can a small, but effective team be more influential? What about access to government or to NGOs?
Ideational resources: Can public diplomacy involve tools that are less tangible, such as spreading ideas and norms through informal interaction and persuasion? If norms are important tools for public diplomacy, how do they spread? How do ideas catch on as norms? What might work against norm creation? Who are the “norm entrepreneurs”?
· Walter R. Roberts, “What is Public Diplomacy? Past Practices, Present Conduct, and Possible Futures,” Mediterranean Quarterly 18:4, 2007. pp. 36-52. Blackboard.
· Nicholas J. Cull, “Public diplomacy: seven lessons for its future from its past,” Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Blackboard.
· Mark Leonard and Vidhya Alakeson, “The power of attraction, the limits of coercion,” Going Public: Diplomacy for the Information Society, London: The Foreign Policy Centre, 2000. pp. 35-44. Blackboard.
· Joseph Nye, “Others’ Soft Power,” Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Power, PublicAffairs, 2004, Chapter 3 excerpt. pp. 75-83. Blackboard.
· Rifkin, The European Dream, pp. 89-92.
· John McCormick, “The Changing Nature of Power,” in The European Superpower, Palgrave. pp. 10-33. Blackboard.
· Anna Michalski, “The EU as a Soft Power: the Force of Persuasion,” in Jan Melissen ed., The New Public Diplomacy, Palgrave, 2005. pp. 124-142. Blackboard.
· Demossier (ed). The European Puzzle, pp. 1-11.
· Javier Noya, “The United States and Europe: Convergence or Divergence in Public Diplomacy?” The present and future of public diplomacy: a European perspective; the 2006 Madrid conference on public diplomacy / ed. J. Noya. Madrid: Real Instituto Elcano, 4 December 2006. pp. 16-18. Blackboard.
· Recommended: Lord, Carnes, “The Past and Future of Public Diplomacy,” Orbis, 42(1), 1998. Blackboard.
· Recommended for more on constructivism:
o Jeffrey Legro, “Which Norms Matter?” International Organization, 51:1, 31-63, 1997.
o Thomas Risse, “Let’s Argue!: Communicative Action in World Politics,” International Organization, Vol. 54, No. 1 (Winter, 2000), pp. 1-39.
o Checkel, Jeffrey T., ed., International Institutions and Socialization in Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
o Checkel, Jeffrey T., “Constructivism and EU Politics,” in Knud Erik Jorgensen, Mark Pollack & Ben Rosamond, eds, Handbook of European Union Politics. London: Sage, 2006.
o Martha Finnemore and Kathryn Sikkink, “International Norm Dynamics and Political Change,” International Organization, Vol. 52, No. 4, Autumn, 1998), pp. 887-917.
9/29/08 Week 5: National level part I (112 pages)
Individual member states engage in PD on their own with non-EU states. Member states also engage in PD with each other within the EU.
· Anne-Marie Thiesse, “The Formation of National Identities,” in The European Puzzle, pp. 15-27.
· Philip Fiske de Gouveia with Hester Plumridge, “European Infopolitik: Developing EU Public Diplomacy Strategy,” London: The Foreign Policy Centre, 2005. pp. 29-55. Blackboard.
· Joseph Nye, “Europe’s Soft Power,” The Globalist, 2004. Blackboard.
· Mark Leonard and Andrew Small with Martin Rose, “British Public Diplomacy in the Age of ‘Schisms’,” The Foreign Policy Centre, 2005. pp. 1-53. Blackboard.
· Ali Fisher, “Public Diplomacy in the United Kingdom,” at the Present And Future of Public Diplomacy: A European Perspective. The 2006 Madrid Conference on Public Diplomacy. Blackboard.
· Mark Leonard and Vidhya Alakeson, Going Public: Diplomacy for the Information Society, London: The Foreign Policy Centre, 2000. pp. 45-55. Blackboard.
10/6/08 Week 6: National level part II (106 pages)
· Sonia Lucarelli, “The External Image of the European Union: Executive Summaries,” Forum on the Problems of Peace and War, GARNET – Jointly Executed Research Project 5.2.1, 2007. Blackboard.
· Christian Bromberger, “Through the Looking Glass of Football,” in The European Puzzle, pp. 119-138.
· Howard J. Wiarda, “Spain: A Normal Country?” Mediterranean Quarterly, 11:3, 2000, pp. 30-61. Blackboard.
· Carmen Calvo, Spanish Minister of Culture, “Opening Remarks,” at the Present And Future of Public Diplomacy: A European Perspective. The 2006 Madrid Conference on Public Diplomacy. Blackboard.
· Peter J. Katzenstein, “Open Regionalism: Cultural Diplomacy and Popular Culture in Europe and Asia,” Prepared for the 2002 American Political Science Association Annual Meeting. pp. 23-30, 37-44 (read sections on Germany) Blackboard.