Walking on two legs: culture and calculus in European Union development cooperation. (25th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gavas, Mikaela; Maxwell, Simon
• Is Part Of: Development policy review. Volume 35:Number 4(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 587
• Page End: 597
• Publication Date: 2016-10-25
• Subjects: collective action -- European development cooperation -- culture -- calculus; Developing countries -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-6764

Abstract

Abstract : In this essay, we examine member state approaches to European development cooperation through the lens of collective action. We observe that successful collective action requires a combination of both culture and calculus. We suggest that the European debate sometimes suffers from an excess of one and a shortfall in the other – and vice‐versa. We note that different perspectives can be explained by different geopolitical realities. We conclude that it is better to walk on two legs than hop along on one – and that judicious application of collective action theory can help this happen.