Understanding the EU, the US and their external spheres of rule : Republican synergies, destructive feedbacks and dependencies

• Both the US and the European Union (EU) have been analysed as empires. In contrast, this article argues that a reconstructed republican theory centred on the fear of domination reveals deeper dynamics in both entities. Both entities have external spheres of influence. While the US is not dependent on this sphere to sustain internal stability, the EU is. When the EU enlargement ends and the external sphere is absorbed, the EU’s stability and legitimacy might be at risk. A possible solution lies in the European Neighbourhood Policy. Strengthening it would increase the EU’s control over its environment and its normative aspects.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Statsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Political Science (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

The European Union

the US

republicanism

empire

EU enlargement

Statskunskap

Political Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)