Introduction

This chapter introduces the main themes of the book, arguing that while existing studies have examined the impact of the European Union on conflicts, they have failed to sufficiently interrogate whether the EU’s approach to those conflicts is one of regulation or one of transformation, but have often assumed the latter. The chapter also sets out a constructivist institutionalist theoretical framework for assessing the EU’s approach to conflict resolution, and the methods employed to operationalise this framework. Lastly, it sets out the structure of the rest of the book.