Description
Despite its geopolitical weakness the EU has consolidated impressive power over the geoeconomic, socioeconomic and legal/regulatory frameworks in its region. The depth, scope and durability of this power given it something of the dimensions of ‘hegemony’. It is formally consensual and it operates through political, legal, economic and ideational power that is structural in nature (shaping the rules and structures within which others operate). European integration is in its 8th decade, having adapting to various geopolitical changes, and crises such as COVID that have only led to the EU’s power increasing. This power extends beyond the EU’s border, countries compete to join it and the one state that has left (despite being a major power) is still a rule-taker in some respects. Yet in other respects the EU’s power contradicts common definitions of hegemony (from Neo-Gramscians or mainstream IR). Far from projecting stability it is often portrayed as fragile (even by supporters), it is widely contested and it is dependent on the US for military security. This paper combines Neo-Gramscian and Strange-ian IPE to explore the EU’s quasi-hegemonic power over its region. It will develop a new definition of hegemony and also contribute to our understanding of the relationship of geoeconomics to geopolitics in a changing international system.
