How useful is the concept of strategic culture to understand when, where and how the EU uses force? This paper will assess the extent to which agreement among the EU Member States to conduct CSDP missions is founded on a top down approach based on a common strategic culture or alternatively on a bottom up approach. In the latter case, a decision to go ahead with a mission is based on whether the Member States have the necessary capabilities to undertake the mission. Additionally military operations can be agreed due to specific Member States’ interests leading to ad hoc decision-making although the question remains as to whether this is a part of the process in creating a European strategic culture. The extent of a European strategic culture will be assessed through the in depth analysis of the reasoning behind three missions: EUFOR RD Congo, EUFOR Chad and EUFOR Althea. The criteria for deciding on each mission will be assessed, in particular concerning whether there has been any form of decision-making based on shared beliefs, attitudes and norms towards the use of force. Through the analysis of these three missions the aim is also to highlight whether there has been increasing convergence behind the reasoning for the deployment of CSDP missions. In this respect the aim is not only to show the extent of a European strategic culture but also the prospects for the further development of one. This is essential if the EU is to become an effective security provider.
