Think tank europe

Europe’s normative disconnect with the emerging powers
24/06/2010
Author : Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS - Belgium)
by Jonathan Holslag - BICCS Asia Paper Vol. 5 (4)
 
In the last decade, the European Union has gone to great lengths to socialize the emerging powers with its own norms. In vain. This paper presents new evidence that Europe failed to reach consensus with countries like Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa on how to address major international challenges.

It also shows that there is a growing disconnect between Europe’s normative standards and those of the new giants. Voting positions in the framework of the United Nations have grown apart. Countries like China, India and Russia now actively work with the majority of developing countries to promote a new generation of international standards. This reverse socialization will negatively affect Europe’s position.

Whereas the European Union considers dialogues with the BRICS countries as an indication of successful engagement, these mechanisms are hardly productive. A closer look at regional trouble spots and global challenges like climate change shows that a growing normative disconnect has impeded cooperation. Added to the fact that the European Union is not considered as an influential actor, the power politics of the new juggernauts has weakened Europe’s position.

Europe’s political values could become more attractive if the emerging markets continue to develop and strengthen national unity. But for the short term the emphasis should be to make sure that these standards are maintained internally. Europe also needs to modernize its hard economic, political and even military capabilities if it wants to have a chance as a normative power in the long run. If it manages to maintain its economic competitiveness and raises its political effectiveness, Europe would inevitably obtain a stronger bargaining position in the new power politics of this century. Not strong enough to impose normative conditions, but sufficient to ensure that its core interests are not harmed and that it maintains confidence in itself.

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