The 'Politicization' of the EU Development Policy

Abstract

The European Union (EU) and its Member States (MS) have a long tradition in development cooperation. They have largely shaped international development cooperation as we know it today. Development cooperation has always (also) been a “political” instrument, but in the last few years the “politicization” of development cooperation has gained enormous momentum. This article explains that this “politicization” means the strengthening of value orientation, particularly in the sense that development cooperation is also an instrument to reinforce the respect for human rights, basic democratic principles, the rule of law and broader societal needs such as environmental protection. This does not mean that development as such is to be attributed a secondary role or that it is instrumental with respect to the other values or goals mentioned. It is rather the case that a proper definition of development must integrate all these values and goals as otherwise it will not be effective. A holistic vision is required. It will be shown that the EU had to go a long way to come to these conclusions and that they have been achieved by intense dialogue with international institutions, in particular within the realm of the United Nations.