The External

⁠In his new book Europeanization and Informal Networks in Southeastern Europe (2025, Routledge), Alexander Mesarovich ⁠(European University Institute) considers the impact of political culture, including informal rules which regulate political behaviour, on formal political processes. Exploring the EU accession processes of Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, Mesarovich identifies h

The EU has been widely criticized for its approach to migration. It has been accused of being cynical, negligent and even ‘illiberal’. But are these allegations correct? In episode 20, Michela Ceccorulli and Sonia Lucarelli join the External to discuss the key findings of their recent paper (co-authored with Enrico Fassi) "An illiberal power? EU bordering practices and the libe

Research by Claudia Ituarte-Lima and Radu Mares at Lund University examines how a pioneering environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean introduces new ways of protecting nature and human rights. Their study reveals both opportunities and challenges in how this regional treaty interacts with European Union trade laws, offering insights into how different regions can

What effect does the institutional design of international organizations have on their domestic support? In their recent article, Bernd Schlipphak, Constantin Schäfer & Oliver Treib focus on interactions between citizens’ social identity and institutional characteristics that may have the potential to polarize citizens’ attitudes owardnational organizations. This podcast s

Episode 17 Voluntary Sustainability Standards have emerged as influential tools to promote sustainable practices in global value chains and are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of new legislation by the European Union and other governments for the promotion of sustainable development. A comprehensive review led by Axel Marx at KU Leuven examines the evolution, impacts,

Can leadership within the European Commission shape the EU's response to global crises? In Episode 16, The External explores the decisive leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, during the first ten weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It features the insights from the research of Professor Elena Baracani (University of Bologna) on how

The European Parliament has the ability to play a key role in shaping the European Union's international agreements. But how exactly does it get involved in these complex negotiations? Researcher Marine Bardou from the University of Louvain has conducted a comprehensive study to answer this question, revealing surprising patterns in the Parliament's activities.

Is Europe effectively leveraging Chinese investments to enhance its strategic interests within the liberal international order? In Episode 14, The External discusses the political intricacies of Chinese investments in Europe with Jappe Eckhardt, co-editor of Rising Power, Limited Influence: The Politics of Chinese Investments in Europe and the Liberal International Order. The int

Is EU trade policy primarily a market tool or a geopolitical instrument? In Episode 13, we delve into the complex interplay between market objectives and geopolitical strategies in EU trade policy, guided by research from Dr. Andrea Christou and Professor Chad Damro at the University of Edinburgh. Their study, featured in the Journal of Common Market Studies, investigates the exten

Is there a ‘Brussels effect’ through international investment dynamics? In Episode 12, The External provides insights from a recent article in Labour - Review of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations by Dr Patrick Wagner (University of Konstanz) and Professor Damian Raess (Catholic University of Lille) which investigates whether Brazilian direct investment in Europe leads t