EU in the international security system

obligatory courses

The purpose of the course is to present the evolution of the European security system functioning with the participation of the European Union, presenting the criteria for assessing its effectiveness, an analysis of selected cases of political activities and operations of the EU, as well as its actions in the area of consolidation of the defence industries of the Member States.

During the course the classic definition of security is analysed in the context of the emerging new threats outlined in the "European Security Strategy" of 2003, reports on its implementation and the 2016 European Global Strategy. Then the potential of the EU in the context of the possibility of its activities in shaping the security order in Europe as well as in the immediate vicinity is presented. The attempts to consolidate the defence industry in the EU will be discussed as well.

The course starts with an analysis of the situation in Europe after the Second World War and the discussion following the trial to create the European Defence Community and the European Political Community. Outlined are also the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and then the EU while special attention is paid to the framework of the CFSP and the CSDP. Presented are also the main interests of the EU Member States and their ideas and views on the functioning of the EU as an actor in the sphere of international security. Discussed is the role of the Western European Union in the process of CSDP. Common Foreign and Security Policy is elaborated on: the provisions of the Treaty of Maastricht, instruments and methods of operation, with the emphasis on intergovernmental cooperation mechanism. Next, the changes and the evolution of the CFSP, with the entry into force of the treaties of Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon. Particular attention is devoted to discussing the "Petersberg missions” and further EU operations (including operations in the Balkans, security sector reform missions, observation missions). Particular attention is given to the "European Security Strategy" of 2003 and reports on its implementation.

The course concentrates on the relations between the EU and NATO, and the OSCE, as well as case studies.

Student workload:

lecture attendance - 30 h

preparation for the lecture - 30 h

preparation for the examination- 60 h

Total - 120 h

- S. Parzymies, E. Haliżak, (red., 2002), Unia Europejska, nowy typ wspólnoty międzynarodowej, ISM, UW, Warszawa

- R. Zięba, (2003) Unia Europejska jako aktor stosunków międzynarodowych, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar, Warszawa,

- B. Górka-Winter, Grupy bojowe Unii Europejskiej – koncepcja, proces formowania, perspektywy, PISM Bulletin no. 69 (409), 2006/11/23,

- B. Górka-Winter, Europejskie Siły Żandarmerii – nowy instrument reagowania kryzysowego Unii Europejskiej, PISM Bulletin no.11 (351), 2006/02/09,

- K. Miszczak, Wspólna Polityka Zagraniczna i Bezpieczeństwa, „Sprawy Międzynarodowe” , październik-grudzień 2007

- I. Słomczyńska, Europejska polityka bezpieczeństwa i obrony, Uwarunkowania – struktury-funkcjonowanie, UMCS 2007,

- Zięba, Ryszard (red.), (2008) „Bezpieczeństwo międzynarodowe po zimnej wojnie”, WAiP

- Aleksandrowicz, Tomasz (2011) „Bezpieczeństwo w Unii Europejskiej”, Warszawa: Difin

- Soja, Małgorzata (2011) „Stosunki UE-NATO w dziedzinie bezpieczeństwa europejskiego i obrony na przełomie XX i XXI wieku”, Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek

- Ginsberg, Roy H., Penksa, Susan E., (2014) „The European Union in global security: the politics of impact", Palgrave Macmillan

- Marsh, Steve, Rees, Wyn (2012), „The European Union in the security of Europe: from Cold War to terror war", Routledge

At the completion the course the student will:

Regarding knowledge:

- Know the history of the development of initiatives related to security issues in the European Community / European Union.

- Know the instruments of influence of the EU in situations that threaten security in Europe.

Regarding skills:

- Understand the manipulations present in the media.

- Be able to analyse the most important processes and historical phenomena conditioning the European integration processes in the political-defence and positioning them in the overall integration within the European Union.

- Be able to identify and interpret basic determinants, mechanisms and objectives of the functioning of the EU's foreign and security policy in the context of both the internal situation within the European Union and internationally.

- Be able to look at a European security in the context of changing threats.

- Be able to show the position of the EU in the context of other entities involved in maintaining security in the world.

- Read scientific literature in foreign languages.

Regarding competences:

- Understand the need for ensuring international security.

Written examination (an essay).