1. Theoretical approaches to the EU’s international role

2. The International Relations approaches to interstate cooperation The problem: why do states cooperate on foreign and security matters? Why do they agree on pooling and delegating of sovereignty? -Sovereignty pooling- collectively binding decisions, no veto applies -Sovereignty delegation- transfer of decision-making power to supranational bodies Rationalist/ instrumentalist approaches/ logic of expected consequences- variables are power, interests Constructivist/ Europeanization approaches/ logic of appropriateness- variables are identity and constitutional culture

3. Instrumentalist approaches Realist explanations- MSs increase their power in international affairs; congruence between the anticipated outcomes and the national policy preference/ unitary actors Liberal explanation: domestic sources of foreign policy Measurement and operationalisation of the variables

4. Constructivist approach Key variables: identity (elite/ opinion- makers and public identity) and constitutional culture Measurement and operationalisation of the variables