Exploring the dynamics of policy change in EU security and defence: policy entrepreneurs behind the Strategic Compass

Abstract

Drawing on Kingdon’s Multiple Stream Approach, the article analyses the political dynamics that led to the introduction of the Strategic Compass, which gained prominence in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine. Due to its comprehensiveness and adoption at the highest political level – the European Council – the study considers the Compass a manifestation of policy change. Assuming that change in EU security policy originates from various sources, the article identifies Germany, France, the High Representative, and the European Commission as potential policy entrepreneurs. By examining their entrepreneurial strategies, it traces their footprint on policy change. The analysis reveals a particularly strong influence of French diplomacy on the process of shaping the Compass and points to the key role of the High Representative, despite the institutional constraints of the office. The article also highlights the usefulness of MSA for studying foreign policy change and, in particular, the dynamics between entrepreneurs.

Keywords:

• Strategic Compass
• policy entrepreneurs
• Multiple Streams Approach
• entrepreneurial strategies
• policy change

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In order to streamline the analysis, in this study the HR and the EEAS are considered as a single actor.

Additional information

Funding

This article has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 962533. The author also acknowledges the financial support from National Science Centre (grant number UMO-2018/31/B/HS5/03694).

Notes on contributors

Monika Sus

Monika Sus is Associate Professor in the Institute of Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw and Visiting Professor at the Center for International Security at the Hertie School in Berlin where she leads the Horizon 2020 project ‘Envisioning a New Governance Architecture for a Global Europe’ (ENGAGE). She is also affiliated with the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute in Florence as visiting fellow.