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

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  • Henrik Larsen

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.

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  • Henrik Larsen, 2014. "The EU as a Normative Power and the Research on External Perceptions: The Missing Link," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 896-910, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:52:y:2014:i:4:p:896-910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tuomas Forsberg, 2011. "Normative Power Europe, Once Again: A Conceptual Analysis of an Ideal Type," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(6), pages 1183-1204, November.
    2. Natalia Chaban & Ole Elgström & Serena Kelly & Lai Suet Yi, 2013. "Images of the EU beyond its Borders: Issue-Specific and Regional Perceptions of E uropean U nion Power and Leadership," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 433-451, May.
    3. Ian Manners, 2002. "Normative Power Europe: A Contradiction in Terms?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(2), pages 235-258, June.
    4. Tanja A. Börzel & Thomas Risse, 2009. "The Transformative Power of Europe: The European Union and the Diffusion of Ideas," KFG Working Papers p0001, Free University Berlin.
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    2. Pål Røren, 2020. "On the Social Status of the European Union," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 706-722, May.
    3. Kenneth Ka-Lok Chan, 2020. "Power through trade: opportunities and constraints of the European Union’s norm entrepreneurship—the case of Hong Kong," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 413-427, December.
    4. Floor Keuleers, 2015. "Explaining External Perceptions: The EU and China in African Public Opinion," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 803-821, July.
    5. Stephan Keukeleire & Sharon Lecocq & Frédéric Volpi, 2021. "Decentring Norms in EU Relations with the Southern Neighbourhood," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(4), pages 891-908, July.
    6. Daniela Sicurelli, 2020. "External conditions for EU normative power through trade. The case of CEPA negotiations with Indonesia," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 57-73, March.
    7. Henrik Larsen, 2020. "Normative Power Europe or Capability–expectations Gap? The Performativity of Concepts in the Study of European Foreign Policy," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(4), pages 962-977, July.

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