Europeanization of National Foreign Policy: The Case of Denmark’s and Sweden’s Relations with China

Abstract:

This article examines the link between constructed identity, socialization and interests in the Europeanization of national foreign policy. Theoretically, it contributes to the understanding of the conditions motivating Member States to have recourse to European Union (EU) opportunity structures in order to balance normative foreign policy interest with material interests. Empirically, the article contributes to understanding the influence of Europeanization on the foreign policy of Denmark and Sweden in their relations to China. It discusses perspectives on Europeanization of national foreign policy in the analysis of change in identity, institutions and policy, and explores the misfit thesis in relation to European identity construction and elite socialization, strategic calculation and the influence of alternative sources outside the EU. The research aims, study design and case selection are then presented prior to the analysis of the Europeanization of Denmark's and Sweden's relations with China.