EU as a global superpower Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are the arguements that the EU is a global superpower?
-Is a economic superpower allowing it negotiate trade deals
-Wields extensive soft power
-Significant structural power
What are the arguements that the EU is not a global superpower?
-Economic power is questionable when caught between two global economic powers (China and US)
-Lacks centralised military power
-Internal structure, dependent on its member states
What is structural power?
Ablity to shape frameworks and rules within which global politics operate, influencing how the system works, not just acting within it
What is the difference between the US and China’s economic power and that of the EU
US and China have centralised control over their economic power, whilst the EU’s is constrained by economic divisions and lack of unified strategic direction.
Give a statistic that highlight’s the EU’s economic dominance
Is the world’s second largest economic trading block, with the EU representing 15% of global GDP and is the largest trading partner for over 80 countries
Give an example of a succesful trade deal negotiated with Canada due to the EU’s substantial power
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement eliminated tarriffs on 98% of goods traded between the two countries, benefiting EU exporters and reducing costs for businesses.
Give an example of a successful trade agreement negotiated with South Korea due to EU’s economic power
EU-South Korea Trade agreement has increased exports to South Korea by 76% since its implementation, benefitting member states with strong export sectors such as Germany in machinery and Ireland in pharmaceuticals.
How did the EU protect it’s members from the US-China Trade War?
In October 2024, the EU protected it’s member states automotive industries by imposing additional tarriffs on Chinese electric vehivles, rates ranging from 7.8% to 35.3%
How is the EU’s lack of military power demonstrated
Through it’s reliance on the US and NATO, relegating it to a great power in the US sphere of influence.
E.g Trump pushing strongly for Ukraine ceasefire and swift peace negotiations but these were held between Russia, the US and Ukraine, no EU leaders were invited.
EU was alson sidelinded when it was unable to offer a credible military guarantee when the US refused to do so
How do internal divisions limit the EU ability to act geopolitically
Members have distinct interests and priorities in foreign policy
E.g US-led War on Terror, EU member states took opposing sides : The UK and Poland joined the coalition in Iraq, while Germany and France opposed
How is the EU lack of hard power combatted?
By its high level of soft power
E.g EU’s initial response to Russia in 2022 was very strong, imposing multiple rounds of sanctions targeting Russia’s financial system.
How does the EU still have some military power?
In 2017 the EU launched the Permanent Stuctured Cooperation which facilitates deeper defence cooperation among 25 EU member states, fostering join projects such as new military technologies and coordinated rapid response units
What does Macron argue about the EU
Says the EU should ‘avoid being followers’ to the US and exercise ‘strategic autonomy’
Give an example of the EU promoting liberal democracy?
After 2013, Rana Plaza disaster, the EU pushed for labour reform by threatening to remove Bangladesh’s prefentail trade access under the ‘Everything but Arms’ program if safety standards weren’t improved. This led to significant improvements in factory conditions and workplace safety, positvely affecting millions of workers
How does the EU use it’s structural power
Acts as ‘regulatory superpower’, being the world’s largest single market so it can leverage economic size to set the precedent.
What is the ‘Brussels effect’
When multinational companies and even other companies adopt their practices to comply with EU regulations to access its market of over 450m customers
What is an example of the ‘Brussels effect’?
The EU General Data Protection has set the international standard for data protection. Countries including Japan and South Korea have adopted similar privacy data laws in response, illustrating the EU’s far reaching regulatory influence.
How does the EU’s internal structure undermine its overall structural power?
the EU’s structural power is limited by its dependence on member states for both decision-making and enforcement, particularly in areas where national sovereignty and identity
play significant roles, preventing the EU from acting cohesively.
Give an example of an internal structure EU division
During the 2015 migration crisis, Hungary and Poland refused to implement the EU’s migrant relocation plan, arguing that national sovereignty took precedence over shared EU policies, leading to an inconsistent approach to asylum seekers across the Union.
In dealing with China, Hungary joined the Belt and Road initiative in 2015, supporting closer ties with China, which has led to EU division as other member states call for a more cautious approach.
Rise of populism led to UK withdrawal in June 2016
How has the EU failed to protect Germany from China’s economic power
Germany is a manufacturing powerhouse with an important automotive sector that is being outcompeted by China when it comes to electric vehicles.
Germany is also reliant on its exports to the US however it was not exempt from US tarriffs recieving a 10% tariff on all its exports to the US
