A Payer or Player? EU Developmental Action in the Pacific

Abstract

In a globalising world concerned with issues such as an enduring economic crisis, rising food prices and political turmoil in the Middle East and Northern Africa, developing countries from other parts of the world may be concerned about being forgotten (Phillips, 2008). Yet, these countries continue to rely on the good-will of others to support their livelihoods. The European Union (EU) is the world development leader. Its development assistance reaches beyond providing monetary support, encompassing the espousal of its values and norms beyond its borders. Yet, historically the EU’s development policy around the world has been criticised as being incoherent and inconsistent (Bretherton and Vogler, 2006; Holland, 2002, p. 1). Although much has been written about EU development policy, little attention has been focused on perceptions of the EU as a development actor. Yet, understanding EU imagery beyond its borders is important for its policy delivery and provides legitimacy for the EU both abroad and at home. Furthermore, understanding this aspect of EU development policy may contribute to a wider understanding of whether EU development policy is actually perceived as being incoherent and inconsistent. Using one case study, the Pacific component of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (PACP) grouping, this chapter bridges this gap through providing an insight into how the EU is viewed as a development actor utilising a three-tiered methodology — interviews with prominent elites, newspaper analysis and a public opinion survey.