Studying External Perceptions of the EU: Conceptual and Methodological Approaches

Elgström, Ole; Chaban, Natalia

doi:10.1057/9781137405470_2

Cited by 30 publications

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“…The study of EU external images is a vibrant area of enquiry (Chaban and Holland, , ; Elgström and Chaban, ; Lucarelli, ). EU images in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, were considered in a pioneering collection by Ortega ().…”

Section: Studying Eu Perceptions In Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The EU's Peace and Security Narrative: Views from EU Strategic Partners in Asia

Chaban

O’Loughlin

2017

J of Common Market Studies

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The EU has consistently struggled to forge a foreign policy narrative which promotes internal cohesion and supports the EU's efforts to exert international influence. The 2016 EU Global Strategy is the latest iteration of collective efforts to tie strategy and purpose to the EU's coherent identity in the world. This study compares the EU's strategic partners of peace and security with narratives about the EU held in the EU's strategic partners in Asia. Whilst we find reasonable coherence in the EU's projection of the international system and its role in it, its identity as an actor, and its response to policy issues on the ground, views from Asia largely contest these claims. This article employs a strategic narrative approach to conceptualize and empirically trace how the formation, projection and reception of EU narratives are part of broader circuits of communication through which EU might be recognized, legitimized and achieve influence.

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Section: Studying Eu Perceptions In Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The EU's Peace and Security Narrative: Views from EU Strategic Partners in Asia

Chaban

O’Loughlin

2017

J of Common Market Studies

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“…In its external interactions, the EU acts in accordance with its self-image as a normative power (Manners, 2002;Lucarelli and Manners, 2006;Elgstr€ om and Chaban, 2015;Orbie et al, 2016). In contrast to the classical global powers, the EU views its role as promoting universalist human rights norms and its own modes of multilevel governance.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If the EU wants to be perceived as a normative power by its external partners, it must be able to act collectively (Larsen, ; Carbone, ). In this regard, it is important to note that external perceptions reflect the legitimacy, credibility and coherence of the EU's external actions (Elgström and Chaban, ). To the extent that the foreign policy effectiveness of the EU is conditioned by its ability to act collectively in terms of overcoming goal conflicts and joint‐decision traps (Bodenstein et al., ), external perceptions are also an indicator of the EU's success in engaging in collective action and reflects its political capabilities (Rousseau and Garcia‐Retamero, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The European Union as a Collective Actor: Aid and Trade in African Public Opinion

Bodenstein

Kemmerling

2016

Development Policy Review

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Perceptions of the impact and effectiveness of development aid are used to assess whether the EU is viewed as a collective actor in foreign aid policy. Using Afrobarometer data, we explore the image of the EU in Africa relative to that of France, Britain, the US and China. We compare these results with the effects of trade and investment relationships between donor countries and their African counterparts. There are significant differences in the visibility of the major bilateral donors’ activities in sub‐Saharan Africa, and foreign aid has a positive impact on public opinion about the EU. The EU has partially overcome its collective action dilemma and has come to be perceived as a foreign aid actor in its own right.

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“…If other relevant actors don't consider the feminist foreign policy legitimate and coherent the chance that it will prove effective is severely reduced (cf. Elgström & Chaban, 2015), and diminishing Sweden's prospect to become a successful norm entrepreneur.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Praise or critique? Sweden’s feminist foreign policy in the eyes of its fellow EU members

Sundström

Elgström

2019

European Politics and Society

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In 2014, the Swedish Government proclaimed that it would pursue a Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP). This initiative illustrates Sweden's role as a norm entrepreneur, challenging predominant normative frames by enhancing existing gender equality norms. Our article is a first attempt to investigate how other state actors perceive the legitimacy, coherence and effectiveness of this policy innovation. The focus is on the perceptions of diplomatic representatives from other European Union member states. The article is based on a survey and in-depth interviews with officials at member state permanent representations. Our findings demonstrate that it is well-known that Sweden pursues a feminist foreign policy, though knowledge is often superficial. Overall, the FFP is positively perceived. Sweden is generally regarded as a leader in the promotion of gender norms. There are, however, also critical voices. In some countries, the word 'feminist' evokes negative reactions. While most respondents think the FFP has had a positive effect on Sweden's international image, less are convinced that other states will follow suit. The current context, with nationalism and populism on the rise, is not seen as appropriate for pursuing a FFP. Sweden's success as a norm entrepreneur in this field is thus questioned.

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Studying External Perceptions of the EU: Conceptual and Methodological Approaches

Cited by 30 publications

References 0 publications

The EU's Peace and Security Narrative: Views from EU Strategic Partners in Asia

The EU's Peace and Security Narrative: Views from EU Strategic Partners in Asia

The European Union as a Collective Actor: Aid and Trade in African Public Opinion

Praise or critique? Sweden’s feminist foreign policy in the eyes of its fellow EU members

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