The Normative Empire: the unintended consequences of European Power

On October 25th 2007 the Wall Street Journal published a blistering attack onEurope entitled Regulatory Imperialism. The editorial took issue with Europe’sintent to force its norms on the rest of the world by taking advantage of the dynamismof its internal market both affluent and attractive and in addition highly organized.Examples cited included the Microsoft Affair, the ban on the importation of chlorinerinsedpoultry, the Reach legislation on chemical products, as well as the plan to taxairline companies as part of the battle against climate change.*Why does Europe favour norms as its mode of influence? Why has its normative influence become global?*What are the main areas for externalizing European norms? These are three questions that this paper will attempt to answer