The EU as a Normative Power and the Research on External Perceptions: The Missing Link

Abstract

In research on European foreign policy two important axes of debate have been running relatively independently of each other for more than a decade: the study of the European Union as a normative power (NPE) and the study of external perceptions of the EU. However, the studies of external perception offer some findings that are central for the NPE debate. This article's argument is that the external perceptions literature points to a limited (if still identifiable) perception of the EU as a normative power depending on the geographical area. By comparison, the image of a powerful economic actor is prevalent. The article raises the question of whether the thin and geographically varied character of the perceptions relating to the EU as a normative power justifies the general designation of NPE. A new agenda focusing on geographical differences and interaction with other sources of power is outlined.

The AIIB and China’s Normative Power in International Financial Governance Structure

“…In addition, some of these characters may as well be successful during their normative diffusion. This article resonates with the argument made by Larsen (2014) that normative power scholarship needs to take into account other potential normative actors in international relations. In the area of global financial governance, China is emerging as an influential normative actor, and it will be fruitful to examine the correlation between the establishment of the AIIB and the emerging normative power of China in international financial governance.…”

“…China's norms, when compared to most western paradigms, better meet the developmental needs of African countries. China's principles of equality and noninterference have, by and large, differentiated itself with the western approach which is considered by some Asian and African countries as a new form of colonialism (Larsen 2014).…”

A polyphonic marketplace: Images of EU external energy relations in British, French and German media discourses

“…Some scholars, such as Lucarelli and Fioramonti (2010, p. 1) suggest that 'self-rhetorical representation, public debate and mirror images are fundamental components of a political identity in the making like the EU/European one'. External perceptions of the EU can therefore provide insight and empirical findings in order to assess the EU as a Normative Power (Larsen, 2014). The existing literature indicates that the EU's 'self-rhetorical representation' as a normative actor is contested in the mirror of its external partners, in particular amongst the emerging powers of the Asia-Pacific where it is viewed primarily in economic terms (Chaban et al, 2009).…”

From the ESS to the EU Global Strategy: external policy, internal purpose

“…This is in line with the external perception of the EU as still more of an economic, rather than a normative, power. 47 It now appears as an emerging Ôcyber actorÕ in the EUGS as well, promising to increase its focus on cyber security while keeping a strong commitment to open and free Internet. Implicit punches are thus delivered to Russia and China who regard security and freedom to be incompatible aims in cyberspace governance.…”