European Union Council Presidencies: A Comparative Analysis (Routledge Advances in European Politics, 13)

This book describes, analyses, explains and compares the role performance of different presidencies. The expert and international authors ask why member states have different approaches and play the role differently, prioritising different functions and using a variety of strategies to realise their aspirations. The book consists of three parts i) describes the functions of the presidency, ii) compares nine different presidencies and iii) a concluding section comparing media images, and summaries looking at member state characteristics and behaviour. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Notes on contributors......Page 8 Preface and acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 The agenda-shaping powers of the Council Presidency......Page 29 'The honest broker'? The Council Presidency as a mediator......Page 49 The Council Presidency and external representation......Page 66 The Netherlands' Presidency of 1997: between ambition and modesty......Page 82 The British Presidency of 1998: New Labour, new tone?......Page 98 The Finnish Presidency of 1999: pragmatism and the promotion of Finland's position in Europe......Page 115 The French Presidency of 2000: an arrogant leader?......Page 131 The Swedish Presidency of 2001: a reflection of Swedish identity......Page 149 The Belgian Presidency of 2001: cautious leadership as trademark......Page 166 The Spanish Presidencies of 1989, 1995 and 2002: from commitment to reluctance towards European integration......Page 184 Conclusion: rationalist and sociological perspectives on the Council Presidency......Page 202 Index......Page 217 Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 Notes on contributors 8 Preface and acknowledgements 10 Introduction 12 The agenda-shaping powers of the Council Presidency 29 'The honest broker'? The Council Presidency as a mediator 49 The Council Presidency and external representation 66 The Netherlands' Presidency of 1997: between ambition and modesty 82 The British Presidency of 1998: New Labour, new tone? 98 The Finnish Presidency of 1999: pragmatism and the promotion of Finland's position in Europe 115 The French Presidency of 2000: an arrogant leader? 131 The Swedish Presidency of 2001: a reflection of Swedish identity 149 The Belgian Presidency of 2001: cautious leadership as trademark 166 The Spanish Presidencies of 1989, 1995 and 2002: from commitment to reluctance towards European integration 184 Conclusion: rationalist and sociological perspectives on the Council Presidency 202 Index 217 Education, Politics & IR, Sociology & Social Policy 1. Introduction / Ole Elgström -- 2. The Agenda-shaping Powers Of The Council Presidency / Jonas Tallberg -- 3. 'the Honest Broker'? The Council Presidency As A Mediator / Ole Elgström -- 4. The Council Presidency And External Representation / Rikard Bengtsson. Edited By Ole Elgström. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This work describes, analyses, explains and compares the role performance of different European Union council presidencies. Nine different presidencies are compared and the book concludes by comparing media images and summaries looking at member state characteristics and behaviour