Thesis Defense by Laurent BORZILLO
Mr. Laurent BORZILLO defended his dissertation, “Bi- and Multinational Expeditionary Forces in Europe: A Comparative Analysis of French and German Alliance Policies (1991–2016),” on Friday, February 21, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Montpellier, 39 rue de l’Université, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2, Room: des actes. Supervised by Mr. Jean JOANA and Mr. Frédéric MERAND
Joint supervision with the University of Montreal (CANADA)
Proposed composition of the thesis committee
- Mr. Thomas LINDEMANN, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin. Rapporteur.
- Mr. Stephan MARTENS, University of Cergy-Pontois. Rapporteur.
- Ms. Laurie BEAUDONNET, University of Montreal. Examiner.
- Mr. Hubert PERES, University of Montpellier. Examiner.
- Mr. Jean JOANA, University of Montpellier. Thesis advisor.
- Mr. Frédéric MÉRAND, University of Montreal. Thesis co-advisor.
Keywords: comparative analysis of foreign policy, European army, Franco-German Brigade (BFA), France and Germany, European Union Battle Groups (EUBG), public alliance policies
Abstract:
Why do states create bi- or multinational expeditionary forces? Why are these forces ultimately not deployed? The objective of this thesis is to provide an explanation for this paradox, which is perfectly illustrated by the Franco-German brigade and the European
Union’s battle groups. Although these two units are not the only ones in Europe that can be classified as expeditionary forces, we decided to choose these two case studies in order to analyze, through the measures related to them, the decision-making processes in both France and Germany. We have therefore focused on these units and on the alliance policies that gave rise to them. Specifically, our research aligns with
studies on alliances, as well as with the field of comparative foreign policy analysis. The theoretical framework developed to explain the decisions under study is based on Kal Holsti’s role theory. In our view, decisions are made only by a limited group of actors and result from the roles these actors assume on behalf of their countries. Institutional arrangements, as well as conflicts and power dynamics, moderate these roles. Furthermore, in the case of decisions with institutional implications, a path dependence on previous measures is observed. Decisions in favor of the Franco-German brigade and the task forces ultimately result from the dominance of the roles of “promoter of European military capacity-building” and “loyal ally” among the actors behind these decisions. Other roles present in France and Germany, on the contrary, tend to curb the deployment of these units, particularly the role of “great power” (for France) and that of “civilian power” (for Germany). Indeed, several roles coexist within each decision-making apparatus, and the influence of each fluctuates. This results from variations in the actors involved across the decisions under study
, as well as from the power struggles and balance of power among them. Our thesis is divided into seven chapters. In the first three, we will review the literature on the forces under study and on alliances, our methodology, and international relations in Europe over the past thirty years. The following sections address the evolution of the Franco-German brigade into an expeditionary force, the creation of battle groups, the selection of partners within these groups, and finally the non-deployment of these military units. These various themes constitute the four empirical chapters of our research. In conclusion, we can assess that the likelihood of the units studied being deployed in the coming
years remains rather low. The theoretical framework developed for this study, based on role theory, also offers a tool for understanding the functioning of the French and German politico-military apparatuses. Having been validated for this analysis, it now remains to be tested on other case studies and states
.
