The Ability of the EU to Extend Its Model of a Social Market Economy Beyond Its Borders

The illusion of firm borders and the ability of the European Union (EU), by actions or by its example, to convey its ideology to external actors is the issue of this chapter. At a time when the EU is confronted with the extreme expression of imperialistic political power in the form of the Russian military aggression towards the EU’s associate partner, Ukraine, the EU ideology of rule of law, democracy and social market economy is simultaneously challenged by the new pluralism of international relations, where the nondemocratic countries increasingly outnumber those sharing the EU qualities. The influence that the EU still exercises is analysed from seven points of view, stretching from theories of international relations and comparative law to the legal constraints of selling in the common market, a source of inspiration for establishing common markets in other parts of the world, being the hub of an extensive array of EU international trade agreements and an active member of the WTO. Finally, an alternative architecture of international relations, where China has an important role, is examined.