This book investigates the paradox of the European Union's significant international potential versus its frequent inability to execute a coherent and effective foreign policy. Authors Helene Sjursen and John Peterson, both established scholars in European integration, synthesize diverse political theories to examine the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). They utilize a comparative framework to analyze how competing national and supranational visions have shaped the EU's global posture since the Maastricht Treaty.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the early institutional challenges of the CFSP. Scholars note the academic rigor of the analysis, which remains relevant for those studying the complexities of EU decision-making processes.