ABSTRACT
The European Union is often portrayed as a development-friendly actor towards the South. The following quote from the ‘European Consensus on Development’ is illustrative: ‘The EU provides over half of the world’s aid and has committed to increase this assistance, together with its quality and effectiveness’ (EU 2005, 4). Although such statements have been scrutinised by NGOs, Europe’s role in international development has barely been studied in political science (notable exceptions are Lister 1998; Holland 2002; Arts and Dickson 2004; Carbone 2007). Academic research mainly focuses on Europe’s development policies through trade (see Chapter 2), or on the EU’s relations with specific regions, such as Asia, Latin America and, in particular, the former ACP colonies (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific).
