"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 analyze whether the European Union has achieved its goal of becoming a superpower, particularly in light of the Treaty of Lisbon. It explores the historical development of the EU, the impact of the Treaty of Lisbon on its structure and institutions, and ultimately assesses whether the EU meets the characteristics of a superpower.
- The historical development and evolution of the European Union
- The influence of the Treaty of Lisbon on the EU's institutional framework and its global role
- The EU's economic power and its position as a leading economic model
- The EU's ability to act as a unified actor on the global stage
- The characteristics of a superpower and whether the EU fulfills them
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the context by highlighting the significant achievements of the EU and the ongoing debate surrounding its superpower status. It emphasizes the importance of the Treaty of Lisbon in understanding the EU's current and potential future role.
Chapter 2 provides an overview of the European Union, emphasizing its size, economic power, and its hybrid nature as a combination of international and supranational organizations. This chapter also delves into the historical development of the EU, tracing its origins back to the post-World War II era and highlighting key milestones like the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), and the European Economic Community (EEC).
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core concepts explored in this essay encompass the European Union, its historical development, the Treaty of Lisbon, supranational organizations, economic power, global influence, and the characteristics of a superpower. Further key terms include the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Ministers, and the European Council. The essay investigates the potential of the EU to become a significant global actor and its ability to exert influence on the international stage.
- Quote paper
- Hendrik Hillebrand (Author), 2010, The European Union: Is Europe a superpower? Will Europe ever be a superpower?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/168240