Abstract
The study argues that a key aspect of the productive dialogue between the sender and receiver of norms and values is the cultural filter, represented in this analysis through a continuum of perceptions. Specifically, this chapter is interested in the reception of what is arguably one of the European Union’s (EU) most successful norms—regional integration. By investigating images of the EU as a model of (or at least a reference for) regional integration in the Asia-Pacific, this chapter notes potential factors shaping perceptions and proposes a multi-level understanding of those factors and how they may affect the reception of normative messages sent by the EU. This chapter explores external public perceptions of the EU using data derived from public opinion survey (10,000 respondents) conducted in 2012 in ten Asia-Pacific countries contrasting these findings with surveys conducted in those countries pre-2012. Tracing the dynamics of the spontaneous images of the EU as a global referent for regional integration, this analysis offers unique comparative longitudinal insights into the international norm diffusion of the EU.
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Notes
- 1.
The analysis draws on data from ‘The EU in the Eyes of Asia-Pacific’, an international comparative research project undertaken in 20 locations since 2002. This systematic investigation of EU external imagery combines how the EU has been framed by local media with perceptions of the EU held by the public and national stakeholders (Chaban and Holland 2013; Chaban and Holland 2014; Holland and Chaban 2014). For more publications see www.euperceptions.canterbury.ac.nz. The authors of this chapter would like to acknowledge support provided by the Jean Monnet Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Commission and Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) to this project throughout the years.
- 2.
Consider, for example, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN + 3, East Asian Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Closer Economic Relations (CER) between Australia and New Zealand.
- 3.
This regional interaction is evident in the EU’s interregional arrangements with groupings such as ACP, ASEM, Rio Process and the Barcelona Process (Telò 2006).
- 4.
They may also be universal/international or American norms.
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Chaban, N., Kelly, S., Holland, M. (2015). Perceptions of ‘Normative Power Europe’ in the Shadow of the Eurozone Debt Crisis: Public Perspectives on European Integration from the Asia Pacific. In: Björkdahl, A., Chaban, N., Leslie, J., Masselot, A. (eds) Importing EU Norms. United Nations University Series on Regionalism, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13740-7_5
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