Kursinformation

The course “Decolonizing European Foreign Policies: Balancing Historical Legacies and Strategic Realities in a Multipolar World” examines the dual influences of historical colonial legacies and contemporary strategic imperatives on the formulation and execution of European foreign policies. Drawing on postcolonial theory and realist approaches, the course critically interrogates how colonial systems of domination and exploitation, such as the coloniality of power and Eurocentrism, persist in shaping European strategies. At the same time, it explores how Europe’s foreign policy frameworks are increasingly driven by the strategic need to maintain influence in the face of rising powers from other world regions. These themes are explored through following key case studies:

• EU-African Green Energy Partnerships (2020s): Europe’s green transition underscores its reliance on African resources, revealing both neo-colonial extraction practices and strategic efforts to secure its energy future.
• The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and African Resource Diplomacy (2023–2025): Europe’s quest for critical minerals illustrates how resource security strategies echo colonial extraction models while competing with global powers like China.
• Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction (Post-2022): This case explores how Europe’s strategic engagement in Ukraine combines geopolitical rivalry with Russia and the imposition of neoliberal recovery models reminiscent of past hegemonies.
• Italy-Tunisia Migration Deal (2023): This case highlights how Europe’s externalization of border control perpetuates colonial patterns of dependency while serving immediate security interests.
• France’s Military Withdrawal from the Sahel (2022–2023): France’s recalibration of its military presence reflects shifting dynamics in Europe-Africa relations, balancing colonial-era commitments with new regional power realities.

The course situates these case studies within the broader context of a shifting global order, where the emergence of multipolarity challenges Europe’s historical dominance. Students will engage with debates on how European foreign policies can reconcile the need for historical accountability with the demands of strategic autonomy and global competition.

By bridging postcolonial critique with pragmatic policy analysis, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and contradictions inherent in Europe’s global role today.