| In this dissertation, the European Union's capacity to act internationally (EU's CTAI) is defined as the internal and external, subjective and objective conditions for EU as an international actor to conduct activities on the world stage so as to deal with external environment, to manifest its power, to play its role, to exercise its influence, to achieve its objectives, and to maintain its interests based on its whole strategy, and the outcomes of its activities. The main aim of the study of EU's CTAI is to explore the extent to which EU could function as an effective, capable actor on the world stage through a systematic analysis of the interactive construction and performance of EU's CTAI. The framework for analysis of this study should be based on main IR theories. Although realism, neorealism, idealism, neoliberal institutionalism and world system theory could be refereed sometimes in this study, these IR theories could not proved a systematic framework for studying EU's CTAI. But constructivism (especially Wendt's theory), which emerged in IR theories in the last decade and became influential, could be well applied to the subject of this dissertation. So I establish my framework for studying EU's CTAI on the basis of constructivism, and take the following route when doing research: interaction between EU and external environment and EU's perception—definition of identity and interests—decision of external policy and actions—policy implementation and external relations—new interaction and perception. Because this dissertation would focus on the appraisal of EU's behavioural performance in external environment, I would analyse the European Union and its interaction with external environment through three levels of analysis: actor, global environment, and performance process, and wouldn't discuss the concrete levels internal EU in detail.Based on the constructivist framework for studying EU' CTAI, the following propositions could be proposed: (1) EU's international actor identity and it's interests are constructed in the process of international interactions, and EU's identity and interests determine its behaviour. (2) European integration process provides material, institutional and ideological bases for EU's CTAI. EU's CTAI depends fundamentally on the interactive construction of factors in EU. (3) EU's CTAI is influenced by external environment, and EU's external activities affect external environment. EU and external environment are interactively constructed with each other. (4) EU's CTAI is manifested through a systematic process of construction and performance. (5) EU is a peculiar international actor developed by European integration process. The development of EU's CTAI is a gradual process, and the CTAI will enhance gradually as integration deepens. (6) EU's CTAI is different from that of traditional state actors and other integration organizations. There is also difference in EU's CTAI in different fields.EU's international actor identity and its construction should be addressed firstly in studying EU's CTAI. The European Union, developed through European integration, has formed the "three-pillar" structure, and established a set of institutions, decision-making mechanisms and European law. EU is an entirely new political form which can hardly be defined as a confederation or a federation. As an international actor playing important role on the world stage, EU is different from not only traditional state actors but also non-state actors. To some extent EU can be called a quasi state actor or a postmodern actor. EU's international actor identity is developed through the internal fundamental construction and the interactive construction between EU and outside world. EU's international actor identity constructed by such a process has some sui genesis characteristics: (1) EU is a new type regional integrative actor. (2) EU is a peculiar compound actor. (3) EU is an important global actor. (4) EU is a newly emerging postmodern actor. (5) EU is a developing lame actor.When the European Union...
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