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This book considers the principal challenges facing the European Union, which has been buffeted by a series of profound crises, both internal and external. These range from the future of Ukraine, the Union's reactions to China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, how to help stabilize countries to its south, and relations with the United States. The core argument is that the EU lacks a meta-narrative that could indicate priorities and linkages between the various continental, regional, national and thematic strategies. As a result, the EU often appears to be a confusing and even contradictory actor to many international partners. In response to these challenges the EU needs to develop a deeper sense of strategic awareness and confidence so that it may give a more convincing response to fundamental questions about the Union's role, purpose and identity in a changing world.
List of contents
Introduction.- Chapter 1. The EU's strategic unconsciousness and normative hubris.- Chapter 2. Existential doubts and Strategic dilemmas.- Chapter 3. In search of strategy.- Chapter 4. The return of geopolitics and relations to the east.- Chapter 5. Geopolitics in the post-Arab Spring.- Chapter 6. Transatlantic relations and Europe's missing Asia pivot.- Chapter 7. Europe's harder edges: Security and Defence.- Chapter 8. Putting effectiveness into multilateralism.- Chapter 9. Strategy, implementation and means.- Chapter 10. Reconceptualizing the world and the liberal delusion.
About the author
Simon Duke is Professor of European Policies at the European Institute of Public Administration. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. He is Executive Editor of the
Journal of European Integration.
Summary
This book considers the principal challenges facing the European Union, which has been buffeted by a series of profound crises, both internal and external. These range from the future of Ukraine, the Union’s reactions to China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, how to help stabilize countries to its south, and relations with the United States. The core argument is that the EU lacks a meta-narrative that could indicate priorities and linkages between the various continental, regional, national and thematic strategies. As a result, the EU often appears to be a confusing and even contradictory actor to many international partners. In response to these challenges the EU needs to develop a deeper sense of strategic awareness and confidence so that it may give a more convincing response to fundamental questions about the Union’s role, purpose and identity in a changing world.
