Normative Power is in the Eye of the Beholder: An Empirical Assessment of Perceptions of EU Identity at the WTO

De Zutter, Elisabeth and Toro, Francisco (2008). Normative Power is in the Eye of the Beholder: An Empirical Assessment of Perceptions of EU Identity at the WTO. UNU-MERIT.

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  • Sub-type Working paper
    Author De Zutter, Elisabeth
    Toro, Francisco
    Title Normative Power is in the Eye of the Beholder: An Empirical Assessment of Perceptions of EU Identity at the WTO
    Publication Date 2008
    Place of Publication Maastricht, NL
    Publisher UNU-MERIT
    Pages 24
    Abstract The concept "normative power" is developed to grasp the EU’s identity, role and concomittant practice in world politics. The EU’s ability to “define the normal in world politics” depends on others’ perceptions of it and its external practice. Normative power requires that non-EU states perceive the EU as embodying the norms it espouses, to perceive those norms as attractive for emulation, and to perceive EU action to be norm-driven (as opposed to interest-driven), and based on universally valid norms. To assess non-EU state elites’ perceptions of EU identity, we conduct a series of interviews with WTO negotiators and former negotiators with experience of negotiating with the EU. We find that, while third country elites do perceive the EU as embodying the norms central to its identity and, to some extent, see those norms as attractive for emulation, they do not perceive EU action as distinct and predominantly norm-driven or based on universal norms. Our research qualifies the understanding of the EU as normative power.
    Keyword Normative power
    NPEU
    EU identity
    WTO
    Trade policy making
    Perceptions of the EU
    JEL F13
    Copyright Holder UNU-MERIT
    Copyright Year 2008
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 18719872
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    Created: Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 16:15:50 JST