Från kolonialism till handelsavtal

This essay is a theory-consuming case study, the purpose of which is to investigate how Western norms and colonial power relations have influenced the design of the EU's trade agreement Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The essay's theoretical framework is based on norm diffusion and postcolonial theory. First, empirical evidence about the theories and the EPA agreement is presented, then follows an analysis where the theory is applied to the case. The conclusion drawn is that the design of the EPA agreement is influenced by Western norms, as the EU actively works to promote universal Western values, such as free trade and democracy through their economic policies. Hence, through the EU's normative power and eurocentrism, Western global patterns become universal. Furthermore, the post-colonial power relations have continued to characterize the relationship between Europe and Africa, which leads to the conclusion that the trade agreement can be perceived as an extension of colonial power relations and structures.