Poder normativo, a União Europeia e a política ambiental

Abstract

This thesis seeks to methodically analyze the concept of ‘normative power’, with the production of a theoretical comparative study. In this study, three forms of thinking Internacional Relations wield their arguments about this power: its relevance, its applicability, its characteristics and their limits. The concept of normative power struggles with problems of unclear definition (in theoretical and practical terms) and with the fact of its birth being closely linked to theoretical approaches that adress the regional building of the European Union. This comparative study centered in EU analysis, seeks to transcend the vagueness and mutability of the normative power concept. This is done by means of a critical approach that encompasses the prisms of Realism, Liberalism and Construtivism, highlighting their advantages and criticisms to the construction and validity of the normative argument. This analysis is guided by the following initial question: Is normative power an indispensable tool for analyzing international relations or is it a “propaganda-concept” intimately connected to a Eurocentric discourse? In the wake of a response to this question it is needed, firstly, an identitary examination of the EU and of the way in which the environmental policies relate to that identity. After that, the actions and behaviours of the EU are observed, to see if they confirm its normative identity. Finally, it is important to assess the reactions of other internacional actors towards EU climatic leadership (how they see this leadership and how they react to the EU’s normative claims and behaviour). This thesis concludes that the ‘normative power’ is an important concept for analyzing international relations, but its use as an analytical tool should be careful and meticulous as this term has a complex definition, a strong connection to the European identitary context and can be used by international actors as a mean to justify other interests.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Raquel Vaz-Pinto (Supervisor)