Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Global Giant, Regional Dwarf? Perceptions of EU Actorness in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
EU Global Actorness in a World of Contested Leadership

  • 675 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter scrutinises the European Union (EU) actorness as perceived in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It argues that the kind of actor the EU can be depends not only on its abilities as an international player, but also on how externals, including Central Asians, perceive it. Following this argument, the chapter scrutinises Brussels’ perceived actorness as a global player and regional player in Central Asia. It is claimed that EU actorness as such raises no questions among Kazakh and Kyrgyz perceivers. But the extent of its influence as an international player is perceived to vary across global and regional domains as well as across issue-areas. The chapter concludes that as an international actor the EU is more trusted than other big powers in Central Asia (recognition). It is on this perceived benevolence that the EU can capitalise on (legitimacy).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Interview with journalist, Kazakhstan.

  2. 2.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  3. 3.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  4. 4.

    Interview with politician, Kyrgyzstan.

  5. 5.

    Interview with journalist, Kazakhstan.

  6. 6.

    These superlative adjectives repeatedly appear in collected data.

  7. 7.

    Interview with journalist, Kazakhstan.

  8. 8.

    Interview with politician, Kyrgyzstan.

  9. 9.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  10. 10.

    Interview with civil society representative, Kazakhstan.

  11. 11.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  12. 12.

    Interview with civil society representative, Kyrgyzstan.

  13. 13.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  14. 14.

    Interview with journalist, Kyrgyzstan.

  15. 15.

    Interview with journalist, Kyrgyzstan.

  16. 16.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  17. 17.

    Interview with politician, Kyrgyzstan.

  18. 18.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  19. 19.

    Interview with journalist, Kyrgyzstan.

  20. 20.

    Interview with politician, Kazakhstan.

  21. 21.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  22. 22.

    Interview with journalist, Kazakhstan.

  23. 23.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  24. 24.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  25. 25.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  26. 26.

    Interview with politician, Kyrgyzstan.

  27. 27.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  28. 28.

    Interview with journalist, Kyrgyzstan.

  29. 29.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  30. 30.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  31. 31.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  32. 32.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  33. 33.

    Interview with politician, Kyrgyzstan.

  34. 34.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  35. 35.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kyrgyzstan.

  36. 36.

    Interview with politician, Kazakhstan.

  37. 37.

    Interview with scholar/think-tank expert, Kazakhstan.

  38. 38.

    Interview with politician, Kazakhstan.

  39. 39.

    Interview with politician, Kazakhstan.

References

  • Aggestam, L. (2008). Introduction: Ethical power Europe? International Affairs, 84(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arynov, Z. (2018). Changing perceptions of the European Union in central Asia. L’europe En Formation, 385(1), 61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, D. (2002). Power and international relations. In W. Carlsnaes, T. Risse, & B. Simmons (Eds.), Handbook of international relations (pp. 177–191). Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barcevicius, E., Brozaitis, H., Caicedo, E., Chaban, N., Gunther, J., Holland, M., Lutz, A., & Stumbaum, M.-B. (2015). Analysis of the perceptions of the EU and EU’s policies abroad: Final report. Brussels: PPMI, NCRE, NFG Research Group. Retrieved August 25, 2019, from https://ec.europa.eu/fpi/sites/fpi/files/eu_perceptions_study_final_report.pdf

  • Bekenova, K., & Collins, N. (2019). Knowing me, knowing you: Media portrayal of the EU in Kazakhstan. Europe—Asia Studies, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson, R., & Elgström, O. (2012). Conflicting role conceptions? The European Union in global politics. Foreign Policy Analysis, 8(1), 93–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boonstra, J., & Tsertsvadze, T. (2016). Implementation and review of the European Union-central Asia strategy: Recommendations for EU action. Brussels: European parliament. Retrieved August 25, 2019, from http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/535019/EXPO_IDA(2016)535019_EN.pdf

  • Buranelli, F. C. (2014). Knockin’ on heaven’s door: Russia, Central Asia and the mediated expansion of international society. Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 42(3), 817–836.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzan, B., & Waever, O. (2003). Regions and powers: The structure of international security. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaban, N., & Elgström, O. (Eds.). (2014). Communicating Europe in times of crisis. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaban, N., & Holland, M. (2013). Seeing the EU from outside its borders: Changing images of Europe. Baltic Journal of European Studies, 3(3), 3–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaban, N., Elgström, O., Kelly, S., & Yi, L. S. (2013). Images of the EU beyond its borders: Issue-specific and regional perceptions of European Union power and leadership. Journal of Common Market Studies, 51(3), 433–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooley, A. (2012). Great games, local rules. The new great power contest in Central Asia. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuthbertson, I. (1994). The new ‘great game.’ World Policy Journal, 11(4), 31–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, R. (1968). Power. In D. Sills (Ed.), International encyclopedia of the social sciences (pp. 405–4015). Macmillan and the Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Pedro, N. (2009). The EU in Central Asia: Incentives and constraints for greater engagement. In M. Esteban & N. de Pedro (Eds.), Great power and regional integration in Central Asia: A local perspective (pp. 113–136). Exlibris Ediciones S.L.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duchêne, F. (1973). The European community and the uncertainties of interdependence. In M. Kohnstamm & W. Hager (Eds.), A nation writ large? Foreign-policy problems before the European community (pp. 1–21). Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M. (2003). The new great game and the new great gamers: Disciples of Kipling and Mackinder. Central Asian Survey, 22(1), 83–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efegil, E. (2010). The European Union’s new Central Asia strategy. In E. Kavalski (Ed.), The new Central Asia: The regional impact of international actors (pp. 71–88). World Scientific.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, M., Boonstra, J., Hasanova, N., Laruelle, M., & Peyrouse, S. (2010). Into Eurasia: Monitoring the EU’s Central Asia strategy. Retrieved August 25, 2019, from https://eucentralasia.eu/2010/02/into-eurasia-monitoring-the-eus-central-asia-strategy/

  • European Commission. (2019). Joint communication to the European parliament and the council ‘The EU and Central Asia: New opportunities for a stronger partnership.’

    Google Scholar 

  • Foxall, A. (2019). From Evropa to Gayropa: A critical geopolitics of the European Union as seen from Russia. Geopolitics, 24(1), 174–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaufman, E. (2017). Security threats and public perception: Digital Russia and the Ukraine crisis. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsberg, R. (2001). The European Union in international politics: Baptism by fire. Rowman & Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, M., & Chaban, N. (Eds.). (2014). Europe and Asia: Perceptions from Afar. Nomos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group (2018). Image of the EU and Eastern Partnership Countries on Russian TV. Estonian center of eastern partnership; Ukraine Crisis media center. Retrieved August 20, 2019, from https://eceap.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Image-of-the-EU-and-Eastern-Partnership-countries-on-Russian-TV.pdf

  • International Crisis Group (2006). Central Asia: What role for the European Union? Asia Report #113. Retrieved August 21, 2019, from https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/113-central-asia-what-role-for-the-european-union.pdf

  • Karasac, H. (2002). Actors of the new ‘great game’, Caspian oil politics. Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans, 4(1), 15–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laruelle, M., & Peyrouse, S. (2013). Globalizing Central Asia: geopolitics and the challenges of economic development Armonk. M. E.Sharpe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lisbonne-de Vergeron, K. (2007). Contemporary Chinese views of Europe. Chatham House; Fondation Robert Schuman. Retrieved August 22, 2019, from https://www.comw.org/cmp/fulltext/0711vergeron.pdf

  • Lucarelli, S. (2014). Seen from the outside: The state of the art on the external image of the EU. Journal of European Integration, 36(1), 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucarelli, S., & Fioramonti, L. (Eds.). (2010). External perceptions of the European Union as a global actor. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manners, I. (2002). Normative power Europe: A contradication in terms? Journal of Common Market Studies, 40(2), 235–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matveeva, A. (2006). EU stakes in Central Asia. Institute for Security Studies. Retrieved August 26, 2019, from https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/cp091_0.pdf

  • Melvin, N. (Ed.). (2008). Engaging Central Asia: The European Union’s new strategy in the heart of Eurasia. Center for European Policy Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melvin, N. (2012). The EU needs a new values-based realism for its Central Asia strategy. EUCAM Policy Brief #28. Retrieved August 23, 2019, from https://eucentralasia.eu/2012/10/the-eu-needs-a-new-values-based-realism-for-its-central-asia-strategy/

  • Menon, R. (2003). The new great game in Central Asia. Survival, 45(2), 187–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mišík, M. (2013). How can perception help us to understand the dynamic between EU member states? The state of the art. Asia Europe Journal, 11(4), 445–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, I. (1996). Russia and the idea of Europe: A study in identity and international relations. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye, J. (2004). Soft power: The means to success in world politics. Public Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omelicheva, M. (2015). Democracy in Central Asia: Competing perspective and alternative strategies. University Press of Kentucky.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peyrouse, S. (Ed.). (2014). How does Central Asia view the EU? EUCAM working paper #18. Retrieved August 22, 2019, from https://eucentralasia.eu/2014/06/how-does-central-asia-view-the-eu/

  • Riabov, O., & Riabova, T. (2014). The decline of Gayropa. Eurozine, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2019, from https://www.eurozine.com/the-decline-of-gayropa/

  • Sjursen, H. (2006).What kind of power? Journal of European Public Policy, 13(2), 169–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. L. (1996). Central Asia : A new great game? Asian Affairs, 23(3), 147–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spaiser, O. A. (2018). The European Union’s influence in Central Asia: Geopolitical challenges and responses. Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warkotsch, A. (Ed.). (2011). The European Union and Central Asia. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendt, A. (1999). Social theory of international relations. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S., & Feklyuinina, V. (2014). Identities and foreign policies in Russia. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

    Zhanibek Arynov

Authors
  1. Zhanibek Arynov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics and Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Raquel Freire

  2. Faculty of Economics and Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Paula Duarte Lopes

  3. Faculty of Economics and Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Daniela Nascimento

  4. Faculty of Economics and Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Licínia Simão

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Arynov, Z. (2022). Global Giant, Regional Dwarf? Perceptions of EU Actorness in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In: Freire, M.R., Lopes, P.D., Nascimento, D., Simão, L. (eds) EU Global Actorness in a World of Contested Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92997-8_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation