Normative Power Europe, Once Again: A Conceptual Analysis of an Ideal Type*

Abstract

The concept of '

Limits to the European Union’s Normative Power in a Post-conflict Society

“…Consequently, we will analyse normative identity as a subjective term, therefore the identity constructed by the EU and via its interactions with others, which is in line with Forsberg (2011). EU officials feel obliged to contribute to peace and throughout the years the EU has also institutionally built its image as a security and peacebuilding actor.…”

“…The Commission is defending the principle more forcefully than others as a guardian of the integration and associations processes (that can be part of the broader peacebuilding politico-strategic objective). Moreover, Forsberg (2011) mentions the key EU representatives, such as Commission President Barroso, have endorsed the concept of 'normative power Europe '. to have one's will prevail (within a social relationship) despite resistance or opposition (Weber 1976, 28).…”

“…Moreover, the EU has already started to construct a military dimension, which has not changed the two factors on which Manners places its foundations for normative power (hybrid polity and treaty-based legal order). In addition, the EU's hybrid character is an outcome of a 'Westphalian brake' through which the member states have been resisting supranational developments-and not a symbol of "post-modern values that are internalized in Europe and the EU being a peace project" (Forsberg 2011(Forsberg , 1192. The same applies to the concept of peacebuilding which also does not originate in the EU having a treaty-based legal order since it evolved without a legal 'constitutional' basis in the treaties (and was only institutionalised with the Lisbon Treaty).…”

“…Diez and Pace (2007, 2) note that "the EU actors see themselves (and the EU as a whole) as a 'force for good' in conflict situations, and indeed in world politics generally speaking". The EU is therefore not only discussed, but also perceives itself, as a normative power (Forsberg 2011(Forsberg , 1186.…”

Bati Balkan Romanlari: Normati̇f Güç Avrupa'nin Turnusol Testi̇?

“…He also noted that the EU's greatest normative power rested on its ability to live (or possibly lead) by example (Manners, 2010: 36). Building on this, Tuomas Forsberg explained that the concept of normative power Europe rested not only on the EU's behaviour in accordance with acknowledged norms or its normative means of power, but also on its normative identity and interests, and the normative ends achieved (Forsberg, 2011). In this framework, he explained that the concept of normative power should be seen more of an ideal type that actors aim to attain, to which the EU comes closest to in real life.…”