Normative power as a means of a small state in international relations: the role of Slovenia within ‘the EU concert’ of normative power
Normative power as a means of a small state in international relations: the role of Slovenia within ‘the EU concert’ of normative power

Summary/Abstract: As a new member state of the European Union (EU) since 2004, Slovenia has aimed to present itself as a benevolent and devoted “European” country. In order to be seen as ‘a normative power contributor’ in a wider framework of the EU’s normative power, Slovenia has predominantly relied on the means of normative power, which it has sought to apply, in particular, in the Western Balkans – the region where Slovenia claims to have comparative advantages (common history, culture, “understanding” of the region, geographical proximity, etc.). The aim of the present article is to analyse the role of a small country with regard to normative power in a wider context of the EU, which claims to be an institution of normative power. Though Slovenia seeks to obtain credibility both in the Western Balkans and in the EU, and has an aspiration to become ‘the normative power bridge’ between them (by adequately applying some measures of normative power), its chances of success are questionable due to some unnecessary mistakes Slovenia has made in recent years, especially in its relations with neighbouring Croatia (viz., the border dispute). To conclude, Slovenia’s sometimes inconsistent and rash policies are decreasing its chances to be perceived as a normative power in the framework of the EU and the Western Balkans.

• Details
• Contents