Browsing by Author "Gamba, Gaëtan"

Swiss-EU relations have been studied previously through the angle of External Governance theories and the concept of Privileged Partnerships (Gstöhl & Phinnemore, 2019; Lavenex & Schimmelfennig, 2009). To nourish the research of the relations between Switzerland and the EU, this thesis brings Diplomatic Practice Theory to the study of this special partnership (Pouliot, 2008; Pouliot & Cornut, 2015; Adler-Nissen, 2015; Neumann, 2002; Constantinou et al., 2021; Kuus, 2015/2023). The research focuses on institutions and the actors within these institutions, the diplomats and those practicing diplomacy. Moreover, it also explores the interplay of formal and informal institutionalisation, following the theory of new institutionalism (March & Olsen, 1984; Mackay, Kenny & Chapell, 2010). The objectives and aims of this thesis are two-fold. Firstly, it aims to inquire how diplomats and experts from Switzerland perceive their negotiations work in terms of institutional development of Swiss-EU relations. Secondly, it aims to better understand the interplay of formal and informal diplomatic practices. The method used for this research was to proceed with conducting and analysing, twelve (12) qualitative research interviews with diplomats and experts working mostly for the Swiss FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) and one diplomat from the EU (European Union). The interview data was analysed through qualitative content analysis, which was chosen to best bridge new institutionalism theory with diplomatic practice theory, inductively inquiring into the experiences and interactions of Swiss diplomats and experts working in Swiss-EU relations. The main findings of this research are, firstly, that diplomats are limited in their agency and possibility to act, because of the rigid structures in place in diplomatic relations. Secondly, due to this rigidity and the limited formal access that Switzerland has in the EU decision-making as a non-member, this setting encourages for the flourishing of informal diplomatic practices. A prominent actor in this informal and formal interplay is the Swiss Mission to the EU in Brussels, which work in large parts informally. Finally, my research showed that the Swiss political system and its internal institutions form a political block opposing the advancement of diplomatic work and negotiations on formal institutional agreement with the EU. In terms of significance, the thesis brings important insights into the practice of Swiss diplomacy in the negotiations and agreements set between Switzerland and the European Union. It addresses the academic gap in political science of the widely studied research on the peculiar Swiss-EU relation, more specifically here inquiring the negotiations (2014-2024), from a diplomatic studies angle. Moreover, it underlines the possibility of examining these relations using qualitative research methods and encourages additional research on the topic. More specifically, pointing towards further research on discriminatory practices and structures of diplomacy, as well as methodological developments of qualitative research in domains ruled by a high level of secrecy.