Contagious Democracy? A Historical Case for a Defensive Normative Approach for the EU’s Cross-Strait Policy

This study provides an overview of the major evolutions in the European Union’s (EU) policy toward cross-Strait relations since 1975. Recent developments signify a major shift in the EU’s policy, which historically has been characterized by diplomatic impassivity, anxiety about jeopardizing relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and seemingly little interest in supporting Taiwan’s successful transition to democracy. The recent change of tack is indicative of the EU’s determination to develop a normative role on the global stage. “Defensive normativity” might enable the EU to pursue its “principled pragmatism” abroad, enabling it to maintain strong economic relations with the PRC while supporting a like-minded partner, such as Taiwan, to profile itself as a normative power on the world stage.