Integrating crisis early warning systems: power in the community of practice

Abstract

This paper argues the importance of integrating power considerations into the study of the communities of practice in European studies and International Relations (IR). Since its introduction, the ‘community of practice’ concept has been criticised for implying overly consensual relations of its members. Notably, the concept has been criticised for underplaying the relations of power affecting the structure and processes of the communities of practice. Drawing on this critique, this paper offers a framework for integrating the considerations of power into the study of the communities of practice in European studies and IR. The argument is illustrated with the case of crisis early warning systems, following the European Union’s initiative to integrate them at the global level. While, the case analysis mainly serves the purpose of probing the suitability of the theoretical framework, it offers insights into some of the power-related challenges facing the community of crisis early warning practitioners.