1: Conceptualizing actors and actorness 12
2: Nature of the beast : the identity and roles of the EU 37
3: The EU as an economic power and trade actor 62
4: Environmental policy : the union as global leader 89
5: The EU as development and humanitarian actor 111
6: Candidates and neighbours : the union as a regional actor 137
7: Common foreign and security policy : a political framework of EU external action? 162
8: The EU as a security community and military actor 189
Conclusion 215
Notes 225
Bibliography 253
Index 269