Abstract:
This thesis intends to analyze the development of ESDP before and after the Cold War and its implementation in Kosovo and post-September 11. Accordingly this thesis basically intends to analyze to what extent the EU can develop an autonomous EU force. This thesis consists of four main parts.In the first part, within the context of European integration, integration theories are analyzed and aimed at understanding to what extent they explain ESDP's emergence and development. Here, it is emphasized that there is no general theory to explain European integration. Rather a combination of theories at different time periods and conditions is suggested as a better explanation for the development of ESDP.In the second part, a historical perspective is adopted and the steps towards the formation of ESDP is our focus. Here, it is emphasized that there is a constant institutional and intergovernmental bargaining for performing security functions , be it by the EU or NATO. In this part, the difficulty of establishing a stable and peaceful Europe is asessed and concluded that ESDP is still premature to fulfill this function. In the third part, the practical examination of ESDP in Kosovo and its after is discussed.In the end, the CFSP's and ESDP's failures without the support of NATO and the U.S is analyzed and the lack of military capacity and lessons from Kosovo are discussed. In the fourth and final part, it is argued that the September 11 events and the Afghan and Iraq Wars came as a "realist backlash". The CFSP's and its direct linkage ESDP's future is analyzed due to changing international security environment and their viability as security components of EU is discussed.
