This article analyses the extent to which the European Union (EU) constitutes a normative power in its response on the Syrian Conflict. Normative power Europe is examined along principles, actions and impact. The empirical analysis focuses on two norms: democracy and human rights. According to analysis, taken measures by the EU have been moderate and
less influential on the national level while the value promotion on the reginal level could prove its normative power.
For several decades EU foreign policy analysis is concerned with the question of European Union (EU) actorness and the role of EU in international politics. Analysts are talking of the EU as a Military Power, Civilian Power, Soft Power or Cultural Power. General discussion of conceptual frameworks of the Normative Power Europe has become immensely popular in the EU studies and has provoked substantial debate. At the same time, the EU has been experiencing a dramatic change in its direct neighborhood. Syrian Arab Republic, the country located in the heart of Middle East, turned into a new hybrid war and the region was overwhelmed with one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has faced in the 21st century. About 5.6 million Syrians are recent refugees in neighboring countries, 11.7 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance internally and over 560.000 became victims of the Syrian war. The extent and continuation of the conflict also has a destabilizing impact and turned the neighborhood into a “ring of fire”. The displacement of people, the exacerbation of political and sectarian differences and the spread of terrorism are forming a new threat to the democratic institution of the EU.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Normative theory by Ian Manners
3. Methodology and Case Study: Syrian Crisis
3.1 The normative base
3.2 Action
3.2.1 Contagion
3.2.2 Informational diffusion
3.2.3 Procedural diffusion
3.2.4 Transference
3.2.5 Overt diffusion
3.3 Impact
4. Challenges of the normative concept and further discussion
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
This paper examines the extent to which the European Union (EU) acts as a normative power in its response to the Syrian conflict, specifically analyzing how the EU attempts to diffuse its core norms, such as democracy and human rights, despite significant geopolitical constraints.
- The conceptual framework of "Normative Power Europe" as defined by Ian Manners.
- The practical application of EU crisis management and diplomatic responses in Syria.
- The effectiveness of normative diffusion mechanisms including contagion, transference, and overt diffusion.
- The limitations and critical challenges of the normative power approach in a conflict-ridden environment.
- The role of the EU as a provider of humanitarian aid versus its geopolitical leverage.
Excerpt from the Publication
Normative theory by Ian Manners
The idea of normative power was not new (Carr 1962, Galtung 1973, Duchêne 1973 cited in Manners 2002) but is was significantly coined by Ian Manners. Manners stressed out that the concept of normative power is based on ideational rather than material or physical power. This means that its use involves normative justification rather than the use of material incentives or physical force (Manners, 2009). The Normative Power Europe (NPE) is still largely under theorized (Sjursen 2006 cited in Johansson-Nogués) which leads to the conceptual lack of clarity shrouding the definition of the NPE. Manners defines normative power as “the ability to define what passes as normal in world politics” (Manners, 2002).
The NPE can be distinguished from the concept of Civilian Power and Military Power. One of the problems with these concepts is their unhealthy concentration on how much like a state the EU looks (Manners, 2009). Also, Civilian Power seems to be a rather status-quo-oriented concept. Duchêne already stressed the maintenance of the European system (of states) and the fixed nature of the nation-state (Duchêne, 1972 cited in Manners 2002). On the contrary, NPE is about change. The overlapping with the civilian approach is expressed in a substantial base of Soft Power, the ability to shape what others want through attraction rather than coercion or payment (Nye 2004 cited in Niemann & Wekker 2010). Normative Power and exercise of Soft Power are linked in the sense of external dimensions of policies, enlargement, trade, and development policies. The power to shape discourses has created the term of the EU as a force for good in the world (Bicchi 2006 cited in Trott 2010). The normative concept becomes an increasingly important practice of European identity construction (Diez, 2005 cited in Trott 2010).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research question regarding the EU's role as a normative power and outlines the scope of the study within the timeframe of the Syrian conflict.
2. Normative theory by Ian Manners: This section provides the theoretical foundation for the paper by explaining the concept of Normative Power Europe (NPE) and distinguishing it from traditional power concepts.
3. Methodology and Case Study: Syrian Crisis: This central chapter applies the indicators of normative power to the specific context of the EU’s interaction with Syria, analyzing different diffusion mechanisms and their impacts.
4. Challenges of the normative concept and further discussion: This section critiques the NPE framework, addressing neo-realistic objections and the complexities of interdependencies in the Syrian theater.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that while the EU acts as a normative actor, its actual influence on the Syrian conflict remains limited by geopolitical realities.
Keywords
European Union, Normative Power Europe, Syrian Conflict, Democracy, Human Rights, Crisis Management, Diplomacy, Soft Power, Humanitarian Aid, International Relations, Political Theory, Sanctions, Normative Diffusion, European Foreign Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines whether the European Union acts as a "normative power" in its management of and response to the Syrian conflict.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers normative political theory, EU foreign policy, the Syrian civil war, humanitarian response strategies, and the challenges of value-based diplomacy.
What is the central research question?
The research asks: Is the EU acting as a normative power in its response to the Syrian conflict?
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, applying Ian Manners’ theoretical framework of Normative Power Europe to assess various forms of norm diffusion—such as contagion, procedural diffusion, and transference—in the context of the Syrian crisis.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body discusses the theoretical definition of NPE, evaluates EU-Syrian relations, analyzes specific instruments like sanctions and humanitarian funding, and reviews critical challenges from neo-realistic perspectives.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Normative Power Europe, Syrian Conflict, Human Rights, Democracy, Crisis Management, and EU Foreign Policy.
How does the author explain the "Contagion" mechanism in this context?
Contagion is described as the promotion of ideas through dialogue and attraction, specifically how the EU uses political dialogues with Syria to voice concerns and push for democratic transitions.
Does the author consider the EU’s use of sanctions successful?
The author concludes that while sanctions were intended to promote norms and weaken the regime, they have shown limited success as leverage and have had significant negative socioeconomic impacts on the Syrian population.
What role does humanitarian aid play in the author's analysis of normative power?
Humanitarian aid is identified as the most efficient EU response, serving to protect human rights and provide basic needs, thereby reinforcing the EU's image as a "force for good" despite political failures.
Why is the "resilience" approach mentioned?
The resilience approach is discussed as a paradigm shift in the EU’s global strategy since 2016, which attempts to reconcile security interests with the continued promotion of core norms like democracy.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Khatri (Author), 2020, The Normative Power of the EU. Empirical Case Study of the Syrian Crisis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/997787
