The EU as a democratic polity in a geopolitical world: challenges and prospects

This paper examines the complex interplay between geopoliticization and democratic nature of the European Union by bridging the gap between geopolitics literature, often confined to foreign affairs, and the study of EU decision-making and democracy. As framework for analysis, a conceptual benchmark of EU democracy is established, defined by four key components: transnational politics, representative democracy, intergovernmental bargaining, and the rule of law. For each of these components, the paper analyses whether and how geopoliticization can generate both paradigm-reinforcing and paradigm-shifting effects, meaning the strengthening or weakening of the EU's democratic ideal. In line with an actor-centred view of geopoliticization, it is argued that these effects are not deterministic, but rather significantly shaped by the strategic actions and discursive framing of political actors.