Research Article

The EU's Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?

Number: 90 July 29, 2026
TR EN

The EU's Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?

Abstract

This study, titled "The EU's Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy or Normative Consistency?", aims to examine the European Union's (EU) capacity for global actorship in a changing international order, focusing on strategic autonomy and normative consistency. In this context, based on realist, liberal institutionalist, and constructivist approaches, it addresses how the EU's limited military capacity, transatlantic dependence, inconsistencies between its normative discourse and foreign policy practices, and differences in interests among member states limit the Union's global influence. Current crises, particularly the Russia-Ukraine War, energy security, migration management, and the China-US strategic competition, serve as examples for assessing the tensions between the EU's claims of strategic autonomy and its normative power identity. In this context, the findings show that while the EU is a global power in economic and regulatory areas and a reference point in the normative sphere, it remains a limited and dependent actor in the military and strategic dimensions. Therefore, strengthening the EU's capacity as a global actor depends on establishing a sustainable balance between strategic autonomy and normative consistency; achieving this balance requires coordinated policy-making among member states, strengthening institutional capacity, and establishing consensus on long-term strategic priorities. Furthermore, the study reveals that the EU's future global role will be determined by its capacity to integrate its economic, normative, and strategic dimensions in a mutually supportive manner, thereby enabling the Union to optimize its capabilities to become an effective actor in the global system.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

European Union, Regional Studies, Globalisation, Politics in International Relations

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 29, 2026

Submission Date

February 1, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 90

APA
Ercan, M. (2026). The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency? Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 90, 202-221. https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL
AMA
1.Ercan M. The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency? Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;(90):202-221. https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL
Chicago
Ercan, Murat. 2026. “The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?”. Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, nos. 90: 202-21. https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL.
EndNote
Ercan M (July 1, 2026) The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency? Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 90 202–221.
IEEE
[1]M. Ercan, “The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?”, Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 90, pp. 202–221, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL
ISNAD
Ercan, Murat. “The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?”. Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 90 (July 1, 2026): 202-221. https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL.
JAMA
1.Ercan M. The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency? Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;:202–221.
MLA
Ercan, Murat. “The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency?”. Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 90, July 2026, pp. 202-21, https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL.
Vancouver
1.Murat Ercan. The EU’s Global Actorship in a Changing World Order: Strategic Autonomy and Normative Consistency? Dumlupınar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;(90):202-21. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA73SK38RL