This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the effects of the militarization of the European Union’s external action. Based on Ian Manners’ “Normative Power Europe” (NPE) - the idea that the EU’s international role is better understood as normative, instead of civil or military, the following is an examination of two current military missions as possible promoters of universal norms.
The research has shown that military action coincides with several norms and ways of diffusion described in NPE, which leads to the assumption that a militarization of the EU’s normative power is not only possible, but can also be positive.
However, to keep a good balance between civilian values and military power – critical reflection regarding aims and consequences need to be an integrated part of the process.