In a newly published article in European Politics and Society, Leo Thüer, Dr. Julia Pohle, Milan Schröder, and Alissa Steer (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) examine the European Commission’s strategic push to define a distinct « European Third Way » in the global digital landscape. This narrative serves as a normative alternative to the dominant digital models of the United States and China, positioning the EU as a leader in « value-driven » digital transformation.

The study focuses on the 2021 Global Gateway initiative, which has become a primary instrument for the EU to project its digital sovereignty and regulatory frameworks internationally. Using computational NLP methods and structuralist discourse analysis, the authors analyze how EU institutions construct narratives that balance geopolitical ambitions, economic interests, and normative values.

This research contributes to the ongoing debate on how Europe can move beyond traditional paradigms to navigate a complex and increasingly contentious digital world.

Read the full article in European Politics and Society (2026): Exporting the European third way: strategic narratives of a value-based digital order