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Can the Discourse on ÒSoft PowerÓ Help the EU to Bridge its Capability-Expectations Gap?

Author

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  • Elsa Tulmets

    (Institute of International Relations (IIR), Charles University, Prague)

Abstract

Recently, a new buzz word has appeared in official speeches in the field of the European UnionÕs external relations: ÒSoft powerÓ. The notion was first coined for American foreign policy and is now at the heart of EU foreign policy discourses, especially the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The ENP launched in 2003 for the new EU neighbours draws heavily on the experience of the past enlargements by exporting internal norms, values and policies abroad. The article explores the hypothesis that the discourse on Òsoft powerÓ represents an attempt to go beyond a traditional understanding of foreign policy and of conditionality. By developing its own definition of Òsoft powerÓ, the EU tries to position itself on the international stage by preferring civilian over coercive means and thus seeks to increase the ENPÕs legitimacy through attraction instead of accession. Nevertheless, it will need to improve its internal consistency if it wants to avoid serious criticism of the ENP and bridge its famous capability-expectations gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsa Tulmets, 2007. "Can the Discourse on ÒSoft PowerÓ Help the EU to Bridge its Capability-Expectations Gap?," European Political Economy Review, European Political Economy Infrastructure Consortium, vol. 7(Summer), pages 195-226.
    • Handle: RePEc:epe:journl:v:7:y:2007:i:summer:p:195-226
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    File URL: http://eper.htw-berlin.de/no7/tulmets.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hedley Bull, 1982. "Civilian Power Europe: A Contradiction in Terms?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(2), pages 149-170, December.
    2. Christopher Hill, 1993. "The Capability‐Expectations Gap, or Conceptualizing Europe's International Role," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 305-328, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Henrik Larsen, 2020. "Normative Power Europe or Capability–expectations Gap? The Performativity of Concepts in the Study of European Foreign Policy," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(4), pages 962-977, July.
    2. Patalakh Artem, 2017. "EU Soft Power in the Eastern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans in the Context of Crises," TalTech Journal of European Studies, Sciendo, vol. 7(2), pages 148-167, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Neighbourhood Policy; soft power; capability-expectations gap;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations

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