Related Documents & Publications
The (un)intended effects of EU development cooperation on democracy
“Other than failing to prevent undemocratic actors from taking nefarious counter measures, the ways in which EU democracy support is delivered may work against the very “democrats” it seeks to support.”
– Blog post by Niels Keijzer & Nathan Vandeputte
The Mobility-Democracy Nexus Betrayed: When the European Commission’s Talks Fall Apart in the Mediterranean
The European Union (EU) has reshaped its relations with southern neighbor countries (SNCs) post-Arab uprisings, emphasizing democracy promotion. This strategy aims to bolster democracy and rule of law through increased cooperation in markets, finance, and mobility. Mobility partnerships (MPS) are seen as pivotal in this approach, facilitating regular migration flows. Analyzing EU documents and agreements since 2011, the paper examines the mobility-democracy nexus. However, it finds MPS ineffective in promoting democracy, highlighting a shift from principled to selective cooperation with SNCs like Tunisia, Morocco, and Jordan. This transformation signifies a move towards issue-specific policies over overarching principles in EU-SNC relations.
– Article by Stefania Panebianco & Giuseppe Cannata