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In Search of Digital Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy: Normative Power Europe to the Test of Its Geopolitical Ambitions

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  • Dennis Broeders
  • Fabio Cristiano
  • Monica Kaminska

Abstract

This article analyses the recent use of European Union (EU) terminology of digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy, aiming to identify tensions between policy considerations of fundamental rights, free market principles and geopolitical concerns. These tensions are rooted in the disparity between the EU's considerable economic and regulatory power in digital matters and its limited mandate and capabilities in foreign policy. The article also explores the translation of the notions of digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy into EU policy. It identifies three important trends in the geopoliticisation of the EU agenda on digital technologies: (1) the instrumental use of ‘classic’ internal market policies to exert geopolitical influence; (2) the imposition of foreign policy imperatives on national markets; and (3) new ‘hybrid’ digital policies that combine internal market concerns, fundamental rights and geopolitical concerns. Ultimately, digital sovereignty has inherent tensions with the EU's normative power in digital issues and may also result in a strategic cacophony.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Broeders & Fabio Cristiano & Monica Kaminska, 2023. "In Search of Digital Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy: Normative Power Europe to the Test of Its Geopolitical Ambitions," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(5), pages 1261-1280, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:61:y:2023:i:5:p:1261-1280
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Luis Bouza García & Alvaro Oleart, 2024. "Regulating Disinformation and Big Tech in the EU: A Research Agenda on the Institutional Strategies, Public Spheres and Analytical Challenges," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(5), pages 1395-1407, September.
    2. Rebecca Adler‐Nissen & Kristin Anabel Eggeling, 2024. "The Discursive Struggle for Digital Sovereignty: Security, Economy, Rights and the Cloud Project Gaia‐X," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(4), pages 993-1011, July.
    3. Tobias Liebetrau, 2024. "Problematising EU Cybersecurity: Exploring How the Single Market Functions as a Security Practice," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(3), pages 705-724, May.

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