Between processes and norms. Understanding EU development cooperation beyond EU institutions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, a raising awareness concerning the Eurocentric nature of knowledge production infused the research on EU development cooperation. As a consequence, this field of study had to face a post-development and a post-colonial challenge. In this context, a renewed interest towards Africa and the multifaceted agency of the EU from a socio-ontological and normative perspective emerged. By combining normative political theory and empirical research, three books offer relevant insights concerning intra-EU norm coordination, situated norm collision, and norm problematisation in Africa-EU relations. In a global scenario that leaves no space for oversimplifying dichotomies and epistemic stances shaped by outdated hegemonies, these contributions prove to be an essential starting point for future research that aims at analysing post-2020 EU development cooperation.