Abstract:
This thesis aims to show how decision making is a critical success factor in the European Union (EU) unification process. The research elaborates on the unique interests of European member states as they at times contradict EU‟s general and common interests. Despite efforts to consolidate member states‟ involvement in the EU, it is evident that national interests have dominated in the establishment of institutions that serve all EU countries. Such differences have continuously interrupted or slowed down EU decisions and foreign policy making.
The influence of national interest is demonstrated by the use of a newly introduced decision making concept known as Decision Making Factors (DMF). DMF highlights the importance of leadership psychology in politics. This is highlighted by conducting an in-depth comparison between the state and the individual using Maslow‟s Pyramid of motivation as a framework to link and further develop the DMF model.
A specific analysis of the model is elaborated in the thesis via the study of two major components: European foreign policy and member states‟ behavior. It is also exemplified by a case study that scrutinizes France‟s immigration status, policies and behavior in respect to decision making vis-a-vis the European Union.
The thesis concludes by highlighting the impact of decision making on the EU status by outlining three causes for EU foreign policy fragmentation along with possible recommendations regarding the influence of decision making on EU‟s slow progress in the area of foreign policy making, offering suggestions that could contribute to the improvement of the decision making process.
