The European Union is widely considered as an increasingly active and relevant actor in the global security architecture (e.g. Bretheron & Vogler 2006). But knowledge on the political processes and arrangements which decide about international EU missions is considerably limited. Unlike other dimensions of European integration, foreign and security policy has traditionally been regarded as purely intergovernmental “high-politics” structure composed of national executives and driven by big powers. However, recent studies suggest the existence of a distinct group of Nordic states that, together, “punch above their weight” in EU’s international crisis management (e.g. Strömvik 2006; Jakobsen 2009). How, then, can we explain such a transgovernmental actor? And what are ways to conceptualise collective influence on policy outcomes? Following Hafner-Burton et al. 2009, my paper will argue that social network analysis can help to investigate the actions and effects of informal regional coalitions within EU negotiations.
