The role of values and norms in international relations has been recognised already by constructivists. Still, the vast majority of the events on the international scene is viewed from the perspective of strategic and economic interests without taking into account the function of ideas. At the same time, only the preferences of the strongest actors are recognised, while the contribution of other stakeholders is completely ignored. An example of this approach may serve the academic debate on the European Union (EU) embargo on arms sales to China, which took between 2003 and 2005. The goal of this presentation is to propose an approach to the analysis of this debate, which takes into account the role of values and to explain how this approach will enhance the results of tests carried out by traditional methods.
Relation:
4th Conference of the Polish Society of International Studies, ‘Norms, Values and Institutions in the Contemporary International Relations’
