The EU as a Regulator of Civil Security across Europe

Abstract

The emergence of civil security governance as a transnational policy area in the European Union (EU) remains contested, and it is undisputed that the national governments of the member states still have a central role in protecting citizens and the environment against natural disasters and man-made threats (Monar, 2010; Boin et al., 2013). However, the EU and the member states define civil security broadly, bringing it under the remit of a large number of EU institutions. Accordingly, civil security remains a hybrid policy area drawing on both the Area of Freedom Security and Justice (AFSJ) and the field of Civil Protection (CP). Natural disasters (including infectious diseases) and transportation and industrial accidents have traditionally fallen under CP (Article 196 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, TFEU) (Ekengren, 2008; Matzén, 2008; Boin et al., 2013). Terrorism (including critical infrastructure failures caused by cyber attacks) is in the domain of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA, Article 74 of TFEU) (Bossong, 2008; Argomaniz, 2009; Kaunert, 2010). EU civil security is also closely related to the Solidarity Clause in the Lisbon Treaty (Article 222 of TFEU) and the EU Internal Security Strategy (EU ISS), which aims at a comprehensive approach to EU internal security (Council of the European Union, 2010).