The European Union: Is Europe a superpower? Will Europe ever be a superpower?

"In just 50 years, Europeans have made war between European powers unthinkable; European economies have closed the gap with the US; and Europe has brought successive waves of countries out of dictatorship and into democracy" (Leonard 2005). Due to the enormous achievements the European Union (EU) brought to its member states, the question of whether the EU is a superpower right now or if it will become a superpower in the future has been and continues to be discussed. In 2002, the then-president of the European Commission stated “that one of the EU’s chief goals is to create a superpower on the European continent that stands equal to the United States” (Kupchan 2003, p.211). This essay aims to answer the question if the EU has reached this chief goal.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The European Union
  • The History and Development of the European Union
  • The European Union after the Treaty of Lisbon
• Is the EU a superpower, after the Treaty of Lisbon?
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay aims to answer the question if the European Union (EU) has reached its chief goal of becoming a superpower on the European continent. The essay explores the historical development of the EU and examines the changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, particularly in relation to the EU's structure, institutions, and global role.

• The historical development of the European Union
• The impact of the Treaty of Lisbon on the EU's structure and institutions
• The EU's role as a global actor
• The characteristics of a superpower
• Whether the EU meets the criteria of a superpower

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: The introduction discusses the question of whether the EU is currently a superpower or if it will become one in the future. It highlights the significant achievements of the EU and the ongoing debate surrounding its potential as a global power.
• The European Union: This chapter provides an overview of the EU, including its membership, population, and its role in promoting prosperity and stability. It also examines the hybrid nature of the EU as both an international and supranational organization.
• The History and Development of the European Union: This chapter traces the historical development of the EU from its origins in the post-World War II era to its current state. It discusses the key milestones in the integration process, including the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), and the European Economic Community (EEC).
• The European Union after the Treaty of Lisbon: This chapter examines the changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, focusing on the reorganization of the EU's structure and institutions. It also explores the implications of these changes for the EU's ability to act in various policy areas and its role as a global actor.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts explored in this essay include European Union (EU), superpower, Treaty of Lisbon, European integration, global power, supranational organization, international organization, economic power, political economy, history of Europe, and global governance.

Details

• College: Bond University Australia
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Hendrik Hillebrand (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 22
• Catalog Number: V168240
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640852123
• ISBN (Book): 9783640852543
• Language: English
• Tags: european union europe will europe