Playing the Two-Level Game: France, Britain, Germany

Abstract

In this chapter I analyse another major dynamic of EU security policy, one which is constituted by national government elites who seek a pooling of sovereignty in this field. My hypothesis is that even the major actors in security policy such as France and Britain take an interest in such pooling to an increasing extent. This is because the EU provides a shield against public opinion turned sour when an operation does not go well, or when there are national losses, thus making risk sharing — military as well as political — a reality. There is an additional reason in the need for military integration, as multinationality in this field becomes necessary and cost-effective. More ‘steering’ at the international level of the modernisation of defence forces also makes it easier to blame international actors when bases and jobs at home must go. Further, the most important rationale for pooling sovereignty in this field is influence. Through active participation and contributions a state carves out a place for itself because going it alone is no longer possible, even for great powers like Britain and France.