EU, Russia, and the Theory of Hegemonic Power

This chapter establishes a conceptual framework for comparing the influence of the EU and Russia in their shared neighbourhood using the more generic concepts of hegemony and power. It develops three ideal-typical mechanisms of hegemonic power: coercion, prescription, and co-optation, based on existing literature. Coercion involves overt conflicts of interests and threats to influence target states' actions. Prescription operates through the imposition of rules and standards, shaping behaviour based on a sense of obligation. Co-optation involves reshaping ideas, values, and beliefs, ensuring compliance through consent rather than coercion. The chapter also outlines the research design and introduces the cases of Moldova and Armenia, explaining how these mechanisms are applied and examined. This structured comparison allows for a nuanced analysis of the similarities and differences in EU and Russian influence, providing a comprehensive understanding of their hegemonic power dynamics in the region.