Socialisation as a Two-way Process: Emerging Powers and the Diffusion of International Norms

Abstract

Since first introduced in 2002, the concept of ‘Normative Power Europe (NPE)’ has been widely discussed among scholars of International Relations. In 2012, the original article on ‘normative power Europe’ was cited 1058 times, according to Google Scholar records. In contrast, few studies conceptualise emerging powers such as China and Brazil as normative powers. On the whole, the impact of emerging powers as normative powers is understudied. Investigating the normative preferences of emerging powers is becoming increasingly critical. For centuries, it has been Western powers that have socialised non-Western countries into the West-dominated international society. In this socialisation process, the Western powers usually tell non-Western countries how to behave appropriately and how to follow the ‘standard of civilizations’. The presumption