From a narrative of peace on the continent after two world wars to one of the prosperity generated by the single market, the rationale for the European Union today is an exquisitely global one. From trade, energy and climate, to security, defence and the digital domain, Europe strives for autonomy in a world which is ever more complex, connected and contested. Providing indispensable theoretical and empirical lenses to make sense of this journey, this edited volume by Sieglinde Gstöhl and Simon Schunz is a must-read for all students and practitioners of European foreign policy.

Nathalie Tocci, Institute of International Affairs, Italy

Gstöhl and Schunz have assembled a fabulous group of contributors to assess, consolidate and take forward the study of European Union external action. They illustrate the richness of new conceptualisations and theorising about EU external action, and argue for a more systematic combination of various approaches, as well as the exportation of these concepts and approaches to the wider disciplines of International Relations and EU Studies. Essential reading for students and scholars alike.

Karen E. Smith, London School of Economics, UK

Offering a profound and comprehensive overview of conceptual and theoretical approaches, and written by key experts in the field, this volume will be a major reference point for students and scholars interested in the European Union's external action. The book covers not only traditional concepts like actorness and coherence, and familiar theories like neofunctionalism and external governance, but it also engages with innovative perspectives such as the practice turn, global justice, gendering and decentring approaches.

Jan Orbie, University of Ghent, Belgium

This book offers a much-needed update of the study of EU's international actorness, covering the topic from multiple angles and through a diverse range of concepts and theories. It is written by a truly stellar group of authors, which gives each chapter a depth and relevance unusual for its kind. This certainly is a volume of great relevance for all of those interested in knowing more about the EU's role in the world and I would definitely recommend it.

André Barrinha, University of Bath, UK

A must-have for every university library and a must read for everyone interested in the global actorness of the European Union. A dedicated academic and research team has contributed to this comprehensive and unique volume, merging traditional and alternative views on the European Union as a foreign affairs actor. In particular, Part V introduces readers to the decentring of the European Union's external action, by applying outside perspectives.

Corina Filipescu, Malmö University, Sweden

More than fifty years after the inception of the European Political Cooperation, this book delimits the breadth and depth of the growing relevance of External Action of the European Union. Designed as textbook, it will certainly benefit students, academics and practitioners alike – and all those dealing with or interested in the EU's external action. The book traces the historical process, investigates concept-building, theory-formation and eventually sketches out policy implications of the EU with regards to the outside world. In its chapters, highly renowned scholars and experts meticulously and critically assess a field which is of central relevance for the furthering of the European project. The book convincingly situates the External Action of the EU as a nascent field of interest at the interface of International Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis and European Studies. It is a trailblazer!

Stefan Gänzle, University of Agder, Norway