Bulletin n. 2/2011
October 2011
CONTENTS
  • Section A) The theory and practise of the federal states and multi-level systems of government
  • Section B) Global governance and international organizations
  • Section C) Regional integration processes
  • Section D) Federalism as a political idea
    • Zielonka Jan
    The EU as an International Actor: Unique or Ordinary?
    in European Foreign Affairs Review , vol. 16, issue 3 ,  2011 ,  281-301
    ABSTRACT: It is often argued that the EU is a peculiar if not unique international actor. Unlike other major actors, it is a largely civilian power promoting universal norms in its vast neighbourhood and beyond. This article will test this proposition by comparing the EU's external policy to those of the United States, China and Russia. Five variables will be examined: (1) international aspirations and self-images; (2) governance form and structure; (3) means of governance; (4) borders and the scope of governance; and (5) centre-periphery relations. The article will conclude that all four actors share certain important characteristics. They all represent huge territorial units with sizable power resources across various fields. They all consciously apply these power resources to influence if not manipulate domestic politics in their respective peripheries. They all justify their power politics by reference to noble norms and values. But because of its peculiar governance system, fuzzy borders and predominantly civilian policy means, the EU practices its politics differently from the three other actors considered here.
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