JamesPCross

Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?

This new article challenges a key piece of conventional wisdom on EU foreign policy: Daniel C. Thomas (2012). Still Punching below its Weight? Coherence and Effectiveness in European Union Foreign Policy. Journal of Common Market Studies 50:3, 457-474. Abstract: Although scholars and practitioners have long argued that greater political coherence will make the EU a more effectiveContinue reading “Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?”

The future of intergovernmentalism

Many Europeans are hoping that the (presumed) victory of Francois Hollande in Sunday’s presidential election in France will be the start of a new, less austerity-obsessed approach to Europe’s current crisis. But change in the Elysee will not address an equally important development in recent years — the declining role of community institutions in favourContinue reading “The future of intergovernmentalism”

Arriving at a Conclusion

(29/4/12)The awkwardly-entitled Thirtieth Amendment to the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill won Seanad approval on Tuesday without a vote after a two-day debate, having already been approved by the Dáil the previous Friday by a hefty 93 votes to 21. I have published some comments onContinue reading “Arriving at a Conclusion”

The EU and Fundamental Rights: Perspectives on the EU-ECHR relationship

This contribution might be of interest : The European Court of Human Rights and the Law of the European Union, Including the Charter: A Subtle Control between Adjustments of Systems and Mutual Influences The French version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2044855. It will be published in L’Union européenne et les droits fondamentaux:Continue reading “The EU and Fundamental Rights: Perspectives on the EU-ECHR relationship”

Fear vs. Anger?

What Ireland and Europe need now is a real debate between alternative visions of economic recovery and sustainable growth that are positive, realistic and clear with regard to what needs to be done at national and European levels. Instead, the Irish debate on the Fiscal Treaty is consistently framed (see two MEPS in this clip) as aContinue reading “Fear vs. Anger?”

Francois Hollande upsets Fiscal Treaty apple cart

By proposing that the EU adopt a new “growth pact” alongside the new Fiscal Treaty, French presidential candidate (and likely winner) Francois Hollande has dramatically shifted the politics of Eurozone reform. See report here. Critics of the Fiscal Treaty’s exclusive focus on budget discipline will welcome this move, but it seriously complicates the Irish government’s planning forContinue reading “Francois Hollande upsets Fiscal Treaty apple cart”