European Union Soft Power: Cultural Diplomacy & Higher Education in Southeast Asia

Abstract

European Union foreign policy engagement in Southeast Asia is predicated upon its institutional capabilities which are limited both by institutional design and ideological forbearance for the application of traditional hard power. It is my argument that European Union higher education funding in Southeast Asia has at its foundation, motivations for the revival of European influence and power within the region. European Union engagement with Southeast Asia is designed to further EU and EU member states agenda’s in the realm of politics, economics, trade and security by utilizing soft power instruments which has as its target, Southeast Asia’s next generation of influential business, academic and government leaders via culture and/or a value based model inculcation in order to establish long term goals of influence, power, prestige and to buttress EU diplomacy.

Keywords: higher education, soft power, European Union, cultural diplomacy, Southeast Asia