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Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Illiberalism and the Potential Superpower of the European Union

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  • Sophie Meunier
  • Milada Anna Vachudova

Abstract

Andrew Moravcsik has long argued that the EU is the world's second superpower, albeit a quiet and overlooked one. This article explores how the EU behaves as a global power, and how the illiberal turn may diminish it. We present Moravcsik's four core claims about the EU as the second superpower using the lens of Liberal Intergovernmentalism. We argue that the EU is more a potential than an actual superpower because its considerable hard and soft resources are not always converted into global influence. We focus on two challenges to this power conversion, which we illustrate in the areas of trade and enlargement: first, the uneven transfer of competences to the EU level and, second, the presence of illiberal regimes in the EU, which makes it more difficult to agree on common policies and tools anchored in democratic values.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Meunier & Milada Anna Vachudova, 2018. "Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Illiberalism and the Potential Superpower of the European Union," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(7), pages 1631-1647, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:56:y:2018:i:7:p:1631-1647
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.12793
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    1. repec:bcp:journl:v:6:y:2022:i:5:p:563-573 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Eugénia C. Heldt, 2023. "Europe’s Global Gateway: A New Instrument of Geopolitics," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(4), pages 223-234.
    3. Lipps, Jana & Jacob, Marc S, 2022. "Undermining Liberal International Organizations from Within: Evidence from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe," Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, Working Paper Series qt6fg0093j, Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, University of California.
    4. Sebastian Santander & Antonios Vlassis, 2021. "The EU in Search of Autonomy in the Era of Chinese Expansionism and COVID‐19 Pandemic," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(1), pages 149-156, February.

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