Page 161 - 《国际安全研究》2020年第5期

Vo1. 38, No. 5, September/October 2020

81 The Synthesis of Supranationalism and Intergovernmentalism:
Initiatives and Prospects of EU’s New Defense Cooperation
Arrangements
FENG Yiran
[Abstract] Tensions between supranationalism and intergovernmentalism have
been running through the construction of European integration since the end of
World War II. It remains a taboo subject in the integration process to introduce
supranationalism into high-politics fields, such as defense and security. However,
since 2016, supranational elements have been witnessed in the efforts of EU’s
defense cooperation arrangements. This change has a considerable bearing on the
increasingly grave security situation facing Europe in recent years and the newly
formed security concept under this context. The new severe security situation is
characterized by not only interwoven traditional and non-traditional threats but also
intertwined internal and external security challenges. Meanwhile, the divergence of
interests between Europe and its long-standing ally, the United States, has become
increasingly salient. These circumstances have generated a strong desire among the
EU member states to reinforce defense and security cooperation. The synthesis of
supranationalism and intergovernmentalism can be seen in the establishment of
European Defense Fund (EDF) as well as the formulation and implementation of
initiatives like “Permanent Structured Cooperation” (PESCO), which signifies a
major breakthrough in European integration over the past years. In the near future,
EU’s defense cooperation will be continually constrained by its decision-making
mechanism, lack of fund and its relations with NATO. However, France and
Germany, the ‘twin engine’ of European integration, will continue to strengthen
defense cooperation within the EU framework in the hope of achieving European
strategic autonomy. The European Commission’s “involvement” in the security and
defense issue as well as the UK’s “Brexit” will be conducive to boosting the EU’s
defense capacity and enhancing EU’s position in the security structure of Europe.
[Keywords] European security, autonomous defense, supranationalism,
intergovernmentalism, European Defense Fund, Permanent Structured Cooperation
[Author] FENG Yiran, Ph. D. Student, School of International Studies, Renmin
University of China (Beijing, 100872).

111 Peace and Security Building in Africa: South Africa’s Role and Its
Limitations as a Regional Power
ZHANG Kai
[Abstract] As a regional power, South Africa has been playing an important role in the
construction of African security order. After the democratic transition in 1994, South
Africa’s national identity has changed from a “white enclave” of the Western world to a
true African country. Hence, “Africa-centered” strategic priorities took shape in South
Africa’s foreign policy. South Africa’s ruling ANC has embraced a new sense of
national identity and ceased to deem African countries as a threat to its national security
but rather as partners with a shared future. South Africa has been actively engaged in
peace and security building in Africa and played the role as the supplier of regional
security public goods through resolving conflicts among African countries, building
collective security mechanisms, contributing to post-conflict reconstruction and
development, promoting the strategic coordination and cooperation between the United
Nations and the African Union, and participating in the multilateral peacekeeping
operations. Despite the unique leading role played by South Africa in some areas of

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