A Critique of ‘Normative Power Europe’ Discourse in the Light of a Farewell Speech

Abstract

The actorness of the European Union (EU) has been an ongoing debate in the literature since the first years of the EU’s foundation. Putting the debate of the EU’s being a civilian or military power aside, this study tries to answer the question of whether the EU is a ‘normative power’ as claimed or this discourse is just a matter of meta-narrative. Through the example of the farewell speech delivered by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the Commission from 2014 to 2019, during a debate in the European Parliament (EP), the study aims at understanding and exposing the sings of the fall of normative power Europe discourse. The speech is analysed on the basis of the relevant literature on critical discourse analysis (CDA) and normative power Europe. As defined in the literature, discourse is a practice that is more than representing or signifying the world; it is also used to construct the world in meaning, as seen in the example of normative power Europe discourse. In this context, discourse is a sort of power that can result in dominance or inequality, which CDA makes visible or more visible for the people. To base the arguments of the study, CDA is used along with the prominent views on normative power Europe discourse.