2025-1 EU Society 9th Session May 28, 2025 > EU Society at KUGSIS

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The session featured a presentation by Laura Emery titled “EU vs. Other Nations.” Laura led a comparative discussion on how the European Union differs from other major regional organisations, including the African Union (AU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations    (ASEAN),    MERCOSUR,    the    Gulf    Cooperation    Council    (GCC),    and NAFTA/USMCA.

The presentation explored how each organisation reflects distinct political priorities, integration  levels,  and  regional  challenges.  For  example,  while  ASEAN  focuses  on non-interference and consensus-building, the EU embraces legally binding commitments and  shared  sovereignty.  Similarly,  MERCOSUR  and  NAFTA/USMCA  are  primarily economic blocs with looser political ties, in contrast to the EU’s multifaceted structure which combines economic, political, and legal integration.

Laura  explained  why  these  comparisons  matter—understanding  the  EU  in  the context of other regional models helps clarify both its strengths and its unique challenges. It highlights the EU’s ambition to go beyond trade to promote democratic values, human rights, and environmental standards, and also underscores its struggle with institutional complexity and internal cohesion.

The  presentation  emphasised  that  the  EU  stands  out  due  to  its  supranational institutions, single market, and common currency, as well as its role as a global regulatory power. However, challenges such as slow decision-making, democratic deficits, and rising Euroscepticism were also discussed.

During the discussion that followed, members reflected on whether the EU’s model of integration could or should be replicated elsewhere, and debated the balance between national sovereignty and collective governance. The group also considered whether the EU’s normative power—its ability to shape global standards—offsets its lack of military or hard power compared to other blocs.