The Global Rise of a Regulatory Superstate in Europe - by Anu Bradford

It is not unusual these days to hear Europe described as a power of the past. The continent is perceived to be weak militarily. Its relative economic power is declining as Asia's is rising. And its common currency may be on the verge of disintegrating.

On the world stage, the European Union is thought to be fading into irrelevance due to its economic woes and its inability to speak with one voice.

Yet this narrative overlooks an important aspect of European power: Europe's ability to unilaterally regulate global markets. Despite its economic and political struggles, the European Union exerts considerable influence over worldwide markets through its regulatory and legal framework.

The world may be focused on Europe's decline. Europe, meanwhile, is busy projecting its values across global markets, creating a world that is to its liking.

Largely under the radar, the European Union has made a tangible impact on the everyday lives of citizens around the world. It has done so by setting global rules governing a variety of areas, such as food, chemicals, antitrust and the protection of privacy.

Few Americans are aware that EU regulations determine the cosmetics they apply in the morning, the cereal they eat for breakfast, the software they use on their computer, as well as the privacy settings they adjust on their Facebook page. And that's just before 8:30 a.m.


But the EU doesn't stop there. EU regulations also effectively determine what kind of air conditioners Americans use to cool their homes — and why their children no longer find soft plastic toys in their McDonald's Happy Meals.


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