Sources of Soft Power and Its Practical Exertion in European Union Enlargement Process ; Europos Sąjungos švelniosios galios šaltiniai ir raiška plėtros procese

Abstract

This dissertation aims at refining the concept of soft power in theoretical rigour, as well as proposing at least one way to operationalize it. In order to do so, Anthony Giddens's theory of structuration is employed. A general thesis of this dissertation is that EU enlargement process encompasses a structure of differentiated social roles which translates into soft power relations among actors fulfilling these roles; yet the power structure itself endures only so long as the particular actors involved in this process behave according to their role prescriptions. Admission of new members to the Union is treated as a social institution (an institutionalized process), involving rules and constraining member states and candidates alike. After an in-depth analysis of Turkish accession to the EU, a conclusion is made that normally candidates – even such ostentatious candidates like Turkey – do acknowledge the right of actors on the EU side to assign concrete tasks for them that are compatible with the "objective" and "reasonable" standards of membership, and their own duty to implement them. Yet they also believe that the members have a moral obligation to reward such compliance with eventual recognition of full membership. Thus an increase or a decrease in soft power is visibly dependent on the EU's willingness to play by institutional rules, stick to the role prescriptions and not to abuse its power.