The EU as a ‘normative’ power: how can this be?

Abstract Existing conceptions of the EU as a 'civilian'/'normative'/'civilizing' power lack precision and are normatively biased. There may be 'normative' or 'civilian' dimensions to EU foreign policy, yet it is problematic to imply, as such conceptualizations do, that the EU is a 'force for good' without identifying criteria and assessment standards that make it possible to qualify, substantiate or reject such a claim. How can we know that the EU's pursuit of norms is legitimate? One possible 'critical standard' might be to consider that a putative 'normative' or 'civilian' power would act in order to transform the parameters of power politics through a focus on strengthening the international legal system. From such a perspective there is, however, a tension in the EU's approach to international affairs.