Session 4 Flashcards
Perceptions of the EU: the views of others
Why study the perceptions of the EU?
De-centers the EUStudying the perceptions of the EU in other parts of the world challenges the EU’s self image as better and differentEuropean political identity is also constructed by interactions with the outsideProvide a better understanding of how the EU can be more effectiveLink between perceptions of legitimacy and distinctiveness and possibilities to act
What is the link between civilian and normative power and perceptions?
Link between civilian and normative power and perceptions: normative constraints
..an actor that is perceived to be legitimate has to use less tangible power [and] base its support on normative consent, in line with advocacy […] to act as a “different”, civilian power’ (Elgström2007b, 952).
Which factors affect perceptions in the geopolitical context?
Societies contextualize the EU’s role as a partner in their own context and depending on whether it resonates with their local realityThe geopolitical context shapes the public perceptionsNine out of ten countries covered find the EU a desirable partner and leader in world affairs (exception: Russia)*For example: China –role of the EU as counterweight to the US *South Africa: financial dependence on EU colours perceptions (Perceptions report 2015:52)
Which other 2 factors affect perceptions?
EU cohesiveness or lack thereof (Chaban, Niemann and Speyer 2020)Bilateral relationsEconomic interdependencePolitical system (Perceptions report 2015)Relational effects: A country’s self image and how assertive it is makes a difference to how they perceive the EU (China, Russia, Brazil)*Global versus moderately important powers: stable image of the EU in moderates (Perceptions report 2015)
Where do citizens’ perceptions on the individual level come from?
Individual characteristics: age, education, socio-economic, languageInteractions, travel, meetings, business*Self-perception: a dynamic shaping of representation through ‘othering’ (Woo, Dong & Kübler 2023)
Where do citizen perceptions on the societal level come from?
Bilateral relationsEconomic interdependence*Political system (Perceptions report 2015); *Via cues by elites: via education or media
Economic interdependence
Regarded as desirable by some but need for diversification by othersEU viewed as an influential economic actor (after US, China)Bilateral relations vary and depend on what other powers are present: e.g. wish for more cooperation in Canada, MexicoRussian media and respondents note dependence on Russian oil and gas supplies but also economic interdependence (Perceptions report, p. 53
Political system and history
Influences how the EU is portrayedMedia in political systems circulating realist and power concepts do not portray EU as a normative power (China, US)Informational monopolies in certain political systems make a differenceHistory : colonial legacy is an influential factor*Other factors: culture, education, information (Perceptions report 2015 54-55).
Is the EU perceived as a unitary actor?
The question about the ‘actorness’ of the EU has been an important question of the scholarly debate on foreign policySome contradictory views:EU: a unitary actor (Elgström)Not in every part of the world (Perceptions report 2015)Eastern partnership study: member states dominate news about the EU (EU-STRAT)China study: member states are prominent
Is the EU perceived as a normative power?
We need to look at the power of an actor in the context of the meaning in which it is embedded (Larsen 2014)For the EU to be a normative power, the rest of the world should see it as such (Larsen 2014)*Perceptions of the EU as a normative power are most prominent in the countries neighbouring the EU and a few other: Mexico, Philipinnes and Singapore (Larsen 2014)
Elites and citizens have different perceptions
Perceptions of elites and citizens differElite perceptions are important as they are close to politicsCitizen perceptions are important as they influence and are influenced by elites via cues
Chinese perceptions of the EU 2011
Findings: image of the EU dominated by perceptions of France, UK and Germany and broader: RussiaKnowledge of EU limited, except among elitesChinese public and attitudes overall positive towards EUMost positive perceptions of EU compared to US, Russia and Japan and their people (in 2011)But: relationalAs Wang (2009) argues, due to limited Chinese understanding of the EU (as compared to the US), perceptions are often formed through the lens of how they view themselves (in Woo, Dong, & Kübler, 2023)
Changes in Chinese perception
‘There has been a consistent decreaseacross the board in viewing the EU’s role positively[…].
‘There has been a considerable increase(from 4–14.1%) in the percentage of Chinese citizens who now see the EU as the most influential in world politics.Big dip (from 71.7 –44.2%) in the percentage of respondents who regard the USA as the most influential.’
Chinese perceptions of the EU 2010-2020
‘The assessment of the EU’s influence and power by the Chinese citizens seemed to suggest a reconstructed image of the EUas suffering from a declining global status, especially vis-à-vis the augmented self-image of the Chinese’.‘A big jump in the knowledge level for questions about the EU’s membership (9.3 to 38.7%) and its composition (2.0 to 41.4%) in particular.
Propaganda in perceptions
*‘Research has found that automated bots created 37% of the hashtags (Campbell2020) expressing Italian gratitude toward China (during the COVID pandemic). Not only did this boost the Chinese government’s credibility, but it simultaneously generated goodwill (toward Italy) amongst the Chinese people, who appreciated the gratitude supposedly expressed by Italy. Although this pertained to Italy, it may very well extend to the EU as well.’ Woo, Dong, & Kübler, 2023
Key findings of tv monitoring
-A large portion of domestic (non-Russian) TV news items has no tone-Belarusianchannels cover Russiamore positively, Ukrainianchannels almost entirely negatively-Not counting Russian channels, TV news in Moldova and Belarus are balanced.-EU member states receive substantial coverage, next to the EU, together more than Russia and the EaEU
EU’s response to propaganda
European Council: Conclusions from October 2018 call for ‘measures to protect the Union’s democratic system and combat disinformation…’High Representative and EEAS: Communication on tackling hybrid threatsEuropean CommissionAction plan against disinformation 2018East Strategic Communication Task Force EastStratCom(part of EEAS), #EUvsDisinfo
