The EU as an Actor: The Study of Recognition as a Dimension of EU Actorness
No.1(2011)
Abstract
Keywords:
European Union; actorness; external recognition; European integration theory
This article explores one of the key dimensions of EU actorness – external recognition. First, it analyzes the four fundamental dimensions of EU actorness (recognition, legitimacy, framing, and attractiveness) and shows in what ways recognition is linked to the three other aspects of actorness. Second, our text tackles the four dilemmas related to the debate about the EU’s external recognition. These dilemmas include the source of recognition (external vs. internal); the conditions of recognition (material vs. formal); the nature of recognition (voluntaristic vs. non-voluntaristic); and the extent of recognition (comprehensive vs. partial or issue-related). Finally, the article draws some theoretical conclusions from this debate.
European Union; actorness; external recognition; European integration theory