The European Union in Global Politics: Normative Power and Longitudinal Interpretation

Abstract

How does the presence of an international institution, the EU, shape the norms and normality, policies and polities of its political environment? This research theme raises questions about both the influence and subjects of the EU --- ontologically, epistemologically and methodologically. In terms of influence, the question is how does the EU shape its political environment --- what is the form of power or influence that the EU exercises? In terms of subjects, the question is who does the EU shape in its political environment --- member-states and their societies; non-member-states and their societies; or non-states and transnational civil societies?