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Normative Power Europe or Capability–expectations Gap? The Performativity of Concepts in the Study of European Foreign Policy

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  • Henrik Larsen

Abstract

This article argues that the view that theories are constitutive of their object of study is useful for reflecting on the role of theories in the analysis of European foreign policy. A key concept used to study the constitutive role of theories is performativity. The article illustrates its relevance through a study of the use of the concept of a capability–expectations gap. On the basis of this study, the article also makes the point that research on European foreign policy does not unambiguously construct the EU as an ideal power Europe (of which normative power Europe is a part), as the use of the capability–expectations gap concept does not draw on the ideal power Europe discourse. The concept is mainly used as a critical label to describe EU foreign policy and applications of the concept end up by concluding that the EU is an international actor with quasi‐permanent shortcomings.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:58:y:2020:i:4:p:962-977
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.12998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elsa Tulmets, 2007. "Can the Discourse on ÒSoft PowerÓ Help the EU to Bridge its Capability-Expectations Gap?," European Political Economy Review, European Political Economy Infrastructure Consortium, vol. 7(Summer), pages 195-226.
    2. Christopher Hill, 1993. "The Capability‐Expectations Gap, or Conceptualizing Europe's International Role," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 305-328, September.
    3. 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.
    4. Ian Manners, 2002. "Normative Power Europe: A Contradiction in Terms?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(2), pages 235-258, June.
    5. Jens-Uwe Wunderlich, 2012. "The EU an Actor Sui Generis? A Comparison of EU and ASEAN Actorness," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(4), pages 653-669, July.
    6. Hedley Bull, 1982. "Civilian Power Europe: A Contradiction in Terms?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(2), pages 149-170, December.
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    1. Suetyi Lai & Paul Bacon & Martin Holland, 2023. "Three Decades on: Still a Capability–Expectations Gap? Pragmatic Expectations towards the EU from Asia in 2020," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(2), pages 451-468, March.

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