15393

SoSe 15: The Evolution of European Security Institutions

Ingo Peters

Comments

Security institutions have played an important role in European security affairs already during the East-West conflict. With the end of this phase of history, many politicians and citizens in and outside Europe hoped that the old and probably new institutions and organizations would play even a greater role in facilitating cooperation and generate a new quality of security in and for Europe. However, despite the impressive evolution of old and new European security institutions (including the EU, NATO, OSCE, UN and numerous sub-regional institutions), security has remained problematic. Europe has witnessed some real wars within and at its periphery, and new sources of insecurity (ethnic conflicts, transnational terrorism, organized crime etc.) have emerged challenging the peoples, states and governments as well as the performance of old and new institutions. This seminar will first and foremost address the following three dimensions of the topic: a) A solid empirical investigation in the history and the various problematic aspects of current European security institutions will be undertaken (description). b) A more ambitious attempt will be made to generate explanations for the specific evolution of the various institutions, including the problems of building a "network of interlocking, mutually reinforcing institutions in Europe" by drawing on relevant IR theories ('causal' analysis). c) The performance of the security institutions with regard to their general and specific functions will be evaluated and explained ('causal' and evaluative analysis). close

13 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Mon, 14:00 - 16:00 13 Class schedule

Mon, 2015-04-13 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Dr. Ingo Peters