The book treats the role, status and nature of the European Union in the contemporary international relations, with special emphasis on the value corpus and potential of the European Union in relation to other actors on the global political stage. In this context, the operationalization and rationalization of the nature of the European Union, i.e. its postmodern determination and the deeply planted modern core, composed of 27 sovereign member states, is being established.
The book also analyzes the institutional and political architecture of the Lisbon Treaty, especially in the area of EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the legal implications of this Treaty for the further development and transformation of the EU into a political union.
The book also discusses the status and role of the EU in relation to the BRICS grouping and their external and internal value capacity, in the context of the contemporary international liberal order, taking into account the new global deviations, such as the rise of populism and illiberalism in Europe and the world. Immediately after that, the EU’s relations with China are analyzed, taking into account the Chinese ‘project of the century’, embodied in the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, considered as a process of expansion of Chinese influence in the global context.
In the context of the EU’s establishment as an actor in international relations, special attention is paid to the imperial past of its member states, especially since out of 27 EU member states, 10 of them are former colonial empires. Hence, conclusions are drawn about the possibilities for deepening the cooperation between the EU member states with their former colonies (today sovereign states), but this time in the favor of the European Union's global goals and interests. Finally, the book analyzes the EU’s projections on the creation of a new, post-American international context, according to its ‘ideological baggage’ composed of the values of multilateralism, regionalism and institutional creativity, as a ‘community of values’, firmly constituted on the power of law, instead of on the right of force.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Modernism, Postmodernism and Postnationalism: A Discourse
The Lisbon Treaty and the EU as a Global Actor
Elitism, Parochialism and the European Avant-Garde
The New International Context: The EU and the BRICS
The European Union and the Emergence of China
The Power of Legacy
Imagining the ‘New World Order’
Conclusion
Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
The work examines the European Union's role and nature in contemporary international relations, focusing on its axiological foundation as a postmodern entity, the institutional challenges posed by the Lisbon Treaty, and the EU's geopolitical navigation amidst rising global powers and internal divisions.
- The theoretical tension between modern nation-state dynamics and postmodern, post-national integration.
- Institutional critique of the Lisbon Treaty regarding democratic deficit and foreign policy effectiveness.
- Challenges from external global actors, specifically the BRICS grouping and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- The strategic utilization of historical colonial legacies to foster international partnerships.
- Perspectives on the future development of the EU through the 'avant-garde' or 'core' Europe model.
Excerpt from the Book
MODERNISM, POSTMODERNISM AND POSTNATIONALISM: A DISCOURSE
The Special Advisor at the European Commission and the author of ‘The Breaking of Nations’, Robert Cooper, acknowledged: “what is called ‘modern’ is not so because it is something new – it is in fact very old fashioned – but because it is linked to that great engine of modernization, the nation-state” (Van Damme 2008, 2). The European Union is not a nation-state, and therefore cannot be treated as a modern structure. Contrary to that, the EU is “the best example of a postmodern space” (Grajauskas and Kasčiūnas 2009, 4).
As per author Robert Cooper, several factors characterized the postmodernity and thus the postmodern world: 1) The breaking down of the distinction between domestic and foreign affairs; 2) Mutual interference in (traditional) domestic affairs and mutual surveillance; 3) The rejection of force for resolving disputes and the consequent; 4) Codification of rules of behavior. These rules are self-enforced; and 5) Changes of borders are both less necessary and less important; security is based on transparency, mutual openness, interdependence, and mutual vulnerability (Cooper 2000, 22).
Summary of Chapters
Foreword: Discusses the turbulent period of the European Union, marked by internal crises and shifting global power dynamics.
Introduction: Outlines the book's scope, addressing the nature of the EU as a postmodern entity and the subsequent challenges in international relations.
Modernism, Postmodernism and Postnationalism: A Discourse: Analyzes the theoretical transition of the EU from a modern nation-state construct to a postmodern, post-national structure.
The Lisbon Treaty and the EU as a Global Actor: Examines the institutional innovations of the Lisbon Treaty and its role in shaping the EU's international political identity.
Elitism, Parochialism and the European Avant-Garde: Investigates the internal obstacles of elitism and parochialism that hinder the EU from developing into a coherent political union.
The New International Context: The EU and the BRICS: Explores the relations between the EU and the BRICS grouping within the contemporary liberal international order.
The European Union and the Emergence of China: Analyzes the impact of China's rise and the Belt and Road Initiative on EU foreign policy and internal coherence.
The Power of Legacy: Investigates how the EU utilizes the colonial history of its member states as a strategic bridge for modern international cooperation.
Imagining the ‘New World Order’: Concludes with projections on the future of global order, emphasizing the EU's role as a non-state actor based on multilateralism and regionalism.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the main findings, calling for a radical re-institutionalization of the EU to safeguard its founding values.
Bibliography: Lists the academic and institutional sources referenced throughout the book.
Keywords
Values, European Union, European Integration, Institutions, International Relations, Avant-garde Europe, Democratic Deficit, Elitism, Parochialism, Federalism, BRICS, China, CFSP, CSDP, Multilateralism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book provides a critical analysis of the European Union's role in the global arena, exploring its identity as a postmodern, post-national entity and the challenges it faces in achieving coherence in its foreign and security policies.
What are the core thematic areas covered?
Central themes include the institutional impact of the Lisbon Treaty, the influence of elitism and parochialism on integration, the challenges posed by the BRICS nations and China, and the strategic use of colonial legacies.
What is the central research objective?
The work aims to determine if the EU can evolve into a coherent global actor while balancing its modern state-based core with its postmodern aspirations in an increasingly complex international context.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining International Relations (IR) theory, legal analysis of EU treaties, and a critique of the geopolitical strategies of emerging powers like China and the BRICS group.
What does the main body of the text address?
The chapters detail the institutional structure of the EU, the internal tensions between member states and the "community" interest, and the external pressure applied by competitive global powers.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is defined by terms such as European Integration, Postmodernism, Avant-garde Europe, Democratic Deficit, Multilateralism, and Soft Power.
How does the author define the "Union of Interfering Empires"?
It refers to the EU's strategic utilization of the historical colonial and imperial ties held by its individual member states to maintain influence and project European norms and values globally.
What is the author's stance on the "Avant-Garde" model?
Dr. Ilik advocates for an "avant-garde" or core group of member states deeply committed to integration, suggesting this is a necessary step to overcome the decision-making stagnation caused by the requirement for unanimity.
- Quote paper
- Goran Ilik (Author), 2020, International Relations and the European Union. Values before Power, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/940992
