What does this research mean for the field?

The European Union faces a paradox in its pursuit of open strategic autonomy while addressing global challenges to peace, stability, and security. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the paradox of the EU's strategic autonomy in relation to its values and global role.

March 12, 2026

On EU values and the open strategic autonomy paradox: Revisiting the EU as a global actor

Key Points

To explore the paradox of the EU's strategic autonomy in relation to its values and global role.
Analysis of EU values in the context of global geopolitical shifts.
Examination of Articles 3(5) and 21(1) TEU regarding the EU's mission.
Evaluation of the EU's soft power tools and their effectiveness.
Identified a paradox between the EU's strategic autonomy and its reliance on values-based diplomacy.
Highlighted a lack of reflection on enhancing the EU's soft power in addressing global challenges.
Pointed out the urgency of defending the international rules-based order in the current geopolitical climate.

Abstract

This contribution points to the ‘open strategic autonomy paradox’ that emerges when considering the European Union’s response to the rapid geopolitical shift from the perspective of the EU’s global pursuit of peace, stability and security through a values-based approach in accordance with Articles 3(5) and 21(1) TEU. It is argued that, in the face of the urgency of the problems globally – not least the pressure put on the international rules-based order – there has been surprisingly little reflection on how to treasure and sharpen the soft power tools currently at the EU’s disposal.

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