War and Peace in European Studies: a Zeitenwende?

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter examines the potential impact of the war in Ukraine on EU Studies. While the war is the most destructive war within Europe since the end of World War II, this chapter argues that the war is unlikely to have a major impact on the field of research. In general EU Studies is a field of research that is uncomfortable with war. Hence, the Algerian War, colonial wars in general, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Falklands War and the wars in Yugoslavia are largely not considered in reflections on the dynamics of European integration. Subsequently, this chapter outlines four reasons why it is unlikely that the war in Ukraine will prompt a Zeitenwende in EU Studies: (i) the wars in Yugoslavia did not cause much reflection about EU Studies and war. Instead, Comparative Politics (Hix 1994; Sbragia 1992) became an increasingly strong sub-field; (ii) a Zeitenwende is unlikely because academic path-dependencies are too strong. Most academics in Economics and Law never consider the role of war; (iii) EU Studies is predominantly characterized by a distinct liberal worldview and this worldview has not much in common with the worldview of the so-called Cold War Liberals; (iv) War Studies and EU Studies do not match well. Actually, the same applies to an interest in power politics and, not even realists in Europe perform well in the heartland of their theoretical tradition. This chapter concludes by arguing that the likely absence of impact should prompt a serious conversation about scenarios for desirable impact.