From Mere Presence to “Actorness” in International Affairs

Upgrading the EU’s Role to Global

Abstract

The European Union (EU), with its 504 million citizens, forms one of the largest markets worldwide accounting for approximately 25% of the world economy. Its (global) role, to a large extent, has been based on its ability to act as a standard-setter through the promotion of its normative foundations, such as democracy and human rights, liberal-market economies, and multilateral governance, making it one of the major development assistance donors. The actual performance of the EU presents an ambiguous assessment of the EU’s “actorness.” [from the introduction]