AbstractsPolitical Science

This project sets out to analyze the coercive nature of the European Union in regards to the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, by the Russian Federation. In doing so, it seeks to evaluate, through the specific framework of Alexander George, Tom Sauer and Mikael Eriksson, the typology of the sanctions, the economic effect of the sanctions and whether or not sanctions as a diplomatic tool, for the EU, have been in line with the theory of Intergovernmentalism. This constitutes the overarching framing of EU, the inherent international relations and analytical apparatus of the project. The analysis is conducted via a document analysis of the sanctions themselves, which in the first phase indexes them in typologies of the framework of George. Thereafter the typology will be set against the economic evolution of the Russian economy, within the timeframe of the project. Finally the assumptions of Intergovernmentalism will be applied to the sanction regime - and thus the conduct of EU - itself to conclude whether or not, the coercive measures taken have been in line with contemporary theoretical distinctions. The project concludes, that EU has followed a rational action plan, and therefore must be said to be in line with the theoretical framework.