ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies a conceptual framework to analyse the development of European foreign and security policy, which allows us to look at the substance of its activity and the way in which its capacity has evolved over time. It will also provide a baseline from which the study can later consider the relationship of European foreign and security policy with national foreign policies. The chapter establishes a baseline for the consideration of Dutch, Danish and Irish foreign policies. It outlines a conceptual framework for the study of European foreign and security policy. The briefly defining the universe of states establishes the conceptual framework behind foreign policy analysis (FPA). European foreign and security policy's ability to agree is crucial and depends upon its consistency. Finally, the capability of European foreign and security policy is predicated upon the level of resources dedicated to the pursuit of agreed policy goals.
