Publication details
Between norm diffusion and implementation – challenges to building continual consolidation of responsible arms trade by the EU
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | SGEM: Political Sciences and Law Proceedings, Vol. II, |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Political sciences |
| Keywords | EU arms trade; ATT; norm cascade; EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP |
| Description | The EU and its member states play a crucial role in the norm dynamics of responsible arms trade. Due to their self-imposed criteria with more stringent definitions than is the current global standard, they are also expected to consistently promote at least the current global standard in their implementation. However, the changing security, political, and economic milieu of the EU post 2011 is producing actions contrary to self-imposed restraints and bears a potential reversal of the norm diffusion approach adopted in prior stages. The article is therefore concerned with the current version of responsible arms trade norms being promoted by EU member states in order to assess whether a shift has occurred with the risen challenges. It is the finding of this text, that apart from anecdotal or case-specific occurrences of actions against the spirit of responsible arms trade promotion, EU states are rather engaged in a more systematic breach of promoted principles and are thereby reinforcing the negativistic early assessments of norm dynamics in future global conventional arms trade regulation. The article illustrates the counteractions on several key areas linked to responsible arms trade (executed transfers, license denials, reporting, enhancing the Common Position, ATT promotion) and provides accompanying explanations for EU implementation discrepancies. |