Whose resilience? Resilience and regime strength in EU-Azerbaijan relations

Abstract

The European Union (EU) has deepened its resilience-building policy substantially in recent years, expanding the scope of the concept and applying it to its external relations. However, as with many policies, the actual implementation may face difficulties. This chapter reflects on the challenges posed to resilience-building in states with authoritarian regimes, due to the inevitable contradictions between elite interests and interests of society as a whole. Using the case study of Azerbaijan, the chapter argues that the EU needs to be cautious to avoid strengthening the resilience of this regime rather than the intended inclusive resilience of broader society. The chapter addresses societal, political, and economic resilience as dimensions that would benefit citizens of Azerbaijan. For each of these dimensions, the potential pitfalls are discussed, followed by some conclusions about how societal interests can be secured.