The Beijing and the Brussels effects on the Western Balkans compared
normative dilemmas, political conundrums
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.60054/PEU.2024.11.113-124Ключови думи :
conditionality, soft power, sharp power, Brussels effect, Beijing effectАбстракт
Conditionality is an ambiguous instrument of the toolbox in the asymmetrical relations between both the European Union or China, and Western Balkan candidate states, respectively. However, the conceptual interpretations and the practical implications of conditionality of either the EU or China are nowhere near similar; this study even proposes the hypothesis that they are contrasting to each other. The Brussels effect is exercised through legal institutions and standards and stems from the soft power of the European Union, which is described as normative, as well as transformative. The Beijing effect displays the influence of sharp power which undermines democratic governance and the rule of law using attractive economic incentives, the technological edge and resource dependency. This research offers a comparative analysis of the two conditionality approaches to the Western Balkan countries (WB 6) by probing into different ethical issues and specific practical problems. Probable scenarios are eventually discussed, and enlargement strategies outlined so that the geostrategic positioning of the European Union should keep its footing in the region.
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