This book examines the emergence, role and future of the EU as an actor in world politics. It looks at the core areas of European foreign policy: economy; trade; the environment; development; common foreign and security policy; international security (including the proposed European defence force) and identity. These are analyzed both theoretically and empirically. The book is unique in synthesizing theory from both the European Union and the international organization's literature. This fully updated new edition explains and analyzes the latest theoretical developments.