Convergence and divergence
Strategic narratives and relationality across the African Union/European Union Partnership
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8249754 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephen Murray (0009-0004-6523-8383, Queen's University Belfast, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-17 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Politics and Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2374-5126 • E-ISSN: 2374-5118 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/23745118.2026.2639999 |
| OpenAlex | W7134124414 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 25 |
The international system is in a transitional period with competing strategic narratives attempting to influence the trajectory of this change. The European Union (EU) has emerged as a significant voice in this transition and is positioning itself as a more global actor particularly in its relationship with the African Union (AU). Drawing from a wide range of policy documents, this article examines AU strategic narratives on a changing international system, the role of Africa within it, and its relationship with the EU in order to ascertain the level of convergence and divergence in their approaches and preferences. Addressing the under-examined area of African strategic narratives, this research provides an empirical contribution in updating understandings of AU strategic narratives regarding the international system and its ongoing partnership with the EU. Furthermore, this article introduces the idea of ‘Relational Narratives’ as a means to operationalise understandings of strategic narratives in international relations, which can provide further insights into narrative development and co-construction between parties. As the AU/EU navigate an increasingly multipolar system and increase the frequency of their interaction, better understandings of the relational dynamics and points of friction therein present opportunities for more effective cooperation and inter-regional governance
Convergence (economics · European union · General partnership · Narrative · Strategic partnership · European Union Policy and Governance · Global Political and Social Dynamics · International Development and Aid
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Of the contemporary global order, crisis, and change
Bifurcated Core, Diverse Scholarship
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Three Worlds
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |