Cho, Eunjeong (2012) EURATOM : nuclear norm competition between allies, 1955-1957. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This study problematises two theoretical propositions that have prevailed in the
mainstream International Relations (IR) literature: the first concerns the negative
understanding of the role of entities in the margins; and the second is the attention paid
to material resources and physical capabilities in comparison to the politics of norms or
identities. Building on insights from Constructivism, this thesis advances the idea of
‘norm competition’, which international norms compete with each other to gain
initiative, and it explores this with reference to nuclear norm entrepreneurship in the
Western Alliance in the early Cold War. In so doing, the study traces the historical paths
towards the creation of EURATOM between 1955 and 1957 at two levels. First, the
external relations of EURATOM are examined in the framework of norm competition;
that is, between the emerging norms of EURATOM, and existing norms in the form of
US nuclear regulations developed after the end of World War II. I argue that favourable
temporal and spatial conditions, as well as an ‘agree-and-deepen policy’, a
communication skill carefully designed to increase one’s political leverage by
exploiting one’s own identification, helped the creation of EURATOM and the
emergence of alternative norms in the nuclear field. Second, the inner-dynamics of
EURATOM with regard to its member states, specifically Belgium and France, is
explored in terms of their motivation for joining EURATOM and its influence on them
with respect to their post-war foreign policy identity—namely, the ‘hyphen role’ of
Belgium and the ‘exceptionalism’ of France. It is argued that EURATOM played a key
role in creating room for its own autonomy and its member states in relation to nuclear
norms. In turn, Belgium and France contributed to the creation of EURATOM by
exploiting their unique identities. Finally, it concludes that norm entrepreneurship can
increase the political leverage of margins in relation to centres, and therefore being
marginal does not necessarily mean being powerless.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JZ International relations
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Euratom -- History, Nuclear energy -- Law and legislation, Nuclear energy -- History -- 20th century, Belgium -- Foreign relations -- 20th century, France -- Foreign relations -- 20th century
Official Date:	June 2012
Dates:	Date Event June 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Politics and International Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Rosamond, Ben ; Browning, Christopher S., 1974- ; Christou, George, 1973-
Sponsors:	University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) ; University of Warwick. Dept. of Politics and International Studies
Extent:	ix, 292 leaves
Language:	eng

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