Work

Policy, roles and domestic contestation: Germany and the United Kingdom as allies of Ukraine

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper establishes the nexus of roles and policy from the perspective of foreign policy role theory. This relationship has been usually assumed but rarely unpacked theoretically, despite its analytical importance to understanding processes of domestic contestation over foreign policy. Thus, shown is the importance of policy decisions and their implementation for giving direction and bringing to life a state’s foreign policy roles. Also analysed, accordingly, is how domestic policy contestation affects role enactment. Two intertwined questions are answered herewith: How does the relationship between roles and policy unfold in the foreign policy realm? How does policy contestation shape international role enactment? We illustrate our theorisation with the examples of Germany and the United Kingdom’s behaviour following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with both NATO members deepening the ‘faithful ally’ role vis-à-vis Ukraine.

Source: International Relations

DOI: 10.1177/00471178251331377

Authors: Sean Garrett, Leslie Wehner

Institution: University of Bath

Language: English

Topic: International Relations and Foreign Policy

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650