1
Professor, Department of Regional Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
PhD in Regional Studies (European Studies), Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
PhD student in European Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The European Union’s emergence as a supranational actor in political-security affairs represents a rare development that challenges realism, the dominant state-centric theory in international relations. Given that realism traditionally denies any significant role for non-state actors in the realm of security, a critical question arises: how does realism, along with its various strands, interpret and evaluate the EU’s agency in political and security matters? Initially, realism paid little attention to the EU’s security developments, viewing it merely as a non-state entity. However, with the formation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), and the establishment of the European Rapid Reaction Force, realists were compelled to engage with the EU’s evolving role. Although all realist branches remain skeptical of EU political-security integration, due to their emphasis on the primacy of states, national interest, and sovereignty, defensive neorealists, who acknowledge the role of institutions in fostering security cooperation among states, tend to adopt a more optimistic perspective. They offer a relatively favorable view of the EU’s gradual political and security convergence.
Aghaie,S. D. , Nooralivand,Y. and Bagheri,E. (2024). Analyzing the Political-Security Convergence of the European Union within the Framework of Realist Approaches. (e229750). International Organization, 2(1), e229750
MLA
Aghaie,S. D. , , Nooralivand,Y. , and Bagheri,E. . "Analyzing the Political-Security Convergence of the European Union within the Framework of Realist Approaches" .e229750 , International Organization, 2, 1, 2024, e229750.
HARVARD
Aghaie S. D., Nooralivand Y., Bagheri E. (2024). 'Analyzing the Political-Security Convergence of the European Union within the Framework of Realist Approaches', International Organization, 2(1), e229750.
CHICAGO
S. D. Aghaie, Y. Nooralivand and E. Bagheri, "Analyzing the Political-Security Convergence of the European Union within the Framework of Realist Approaches," International Organization, 2 1 (2024): e229750,
VANCOUVER
Aghaie S. D., Nooralivand Y., Bagheri E. Analyzing the Political-Security Convergence of the European Union within the Framework of Realist Approaches. International Organization, 2024; 2(1): e229750.