Will Europe Become a Superpower?Will Europe Become a Superpower?Having expanded to twenty five states the European Union is only becoming larger and stronger. Europe is definitely a power in itâs own right and could have claims to âsuperpower statusâ in the future. The creation and implementation of the European Union has ensured that the continent has become more integrated and unified. It has brought stronger internal cohesion between the member nations as they all have common goals and objectives that will maintain and sustain the credibility of the European Union. As an alliance the largest countries such as France and Germany seem stronger politically than when they were independent of the union. From a political standpoint several of the Countries who decided not to accompany the United States in the war against Iraq exemplify this notion. âRather than rallying behind the United States, countries around the world are distancing themselves from Washington and locking arms to resist a wayward America.â Kupchan (2003, p205)
From an economic point of view the European Union continues to get stronger and is arguably the most important trading bloc in the world. âAround the 450 million citizens of the EU, there are another 1.5 billion people who depend completely on an EU that is their biggest trade partner and their biggest source of credit, foreign investment, and aid.â Leonard (2005). Certainly since its inception the European Union continues to grow and is an essential participant in the global economy. If the European Union can continue to build on its foundations then it has the potential to become a superpower. However the European Union can not yet compete with the United States from a military perspective.
This paper will examine the possibilities for the European Union in the near future, look at the United States in comparison and argue that there will be a redistribution of global power throughout the next century.
Prior to this century Europe had always been a hegemonic force throughout the world and survived the brunt of three wars with which between each one devastation and destruction occurred to unseen levels in which millions of civilians perished.
âWithin a 75-year span, the European continent was ravaged by three brutal war campaigns: the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), World War I (1914-18) and World War II (1939-45). Together, an estimated 60 to 70 million Europeans were killed.â
Ritter (2006).The last century also saw the dramatic collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Since the end of the second world war however and even with the Cold War on the horizon, Europe recognised the immense importance of ensuring that the continent didnât suffer the repercussions of war again and also recognised the benefits of being more fully integrated. âIn 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.â Leonard (2005)
Whilst it has the opportunity to become a superpower, there are two factors that will certainly help determine it. One is of course the dramatic and gradual rise of China, currently the most populous nation on earth and with an economy that just keeps growing and growing. The other is the United States and the expected decline that is expected to occur not only politically and economically but influentially. Remember the United States has continually come to the aid of Europe in both World Wars, the evils of communism and fascism and by preventing the Soviet Union from spreading itâs sphere of influence right through the European continent. âThe fact that Europe does not have one leader, but rather a network of centres of power united by common policies and goals, means it can expand to accommodate ever-greater numbers of countries without compromising their independence, while continuing to provide its members with the benefits of being part of the largest market in the world.â Leonard (2005)
The United States emerged from the Cold War as the sole superpower left in the World. The United States were victorious in an intense and gruelling 45 year ideological standoff against the Soviet Union and communism as Mikhael Gorbachev realized that they could no longer compete in the competition for arms. From a political, economic and military perspective the United States have been both the most prosperous and influential nation since the Cold War culminated. Since 1945 they have come up out of isolationism and played an instrumental role in international relations and international politics. They have also played an imperative part in the development and implementation of some of the most important organizations there are today such as the United Nations,
Sovereign United States of America (SOU) vs. U.S.S.R.: The First Non-Partisan Primary, 2015
As you can see in the photo above that is a screenshot of our original report. There are two primary candidates, the Socialist Alternative Party and the National Front (NS.F.).
The NS.F? The Third Party? What About that? The third and third parties have been described as one-party Republicans for decades, except this year they are now part of the Liberal Party and National Front. They are supported as well by Hillary Clinton, who is the President of the United States. The NS.F? has an anti-establishment track record. Their primary rival, the Democratic Party, won a majority of seats in the US House. The party controls the Senate and the White House.
The NS.F. has consistently led the battle for the “right” on any issue since WWII, including the creation of a new constitution for a New World Order and nationalization of global energy and the environment. In 2015, they won 12 seats in the United States House. While many in the US were in favour of a second New World Order, they felt these new powers were more important than preserving democracy and human rights. (See the NS.F’s post below for more on that important issue.) More than a week ago the New York Times ran a column that compared the Republican Party of the USA (the “United Progressive Party”).
Sovereign United States of America vs. European Union: A New Paradigm, 2015
After the initial debate at the U.N. on 18 February on how Europe should respond to the US actions in Libya, the Socialist Alternative Party of Europe (SEN) formed a group called “An alliance to resist the United States on the continent,” which includes some of the best-known names in the European Left and the U.S.-European Union. The group’s manifesto was created through a political, economic and political mobilization that included some of the best-known names in Europe, including Mario Draghi and Matteo Renzi â that is, to get EU member states to help us fight ISIS in the name of NATO. The SEN also has several other political groups, including the party in the EU. The EU and SEN have also come out with resolutions in support of Syria and support for the Palestinian People’s Defense Force (PWDF), which is a key U.S. military ally of the Palestinian people.
After more than a decade of war and an unprecedented period of instability, the EU and US are united in their resolve to defeat ISIS and its allies. In spite of that, no one is saying enough is being done. The European Left and the U.S.-EU bloc have been united but not very well. A new era began in the European Union on 31 December 2015 after the EU accepted the withdrawal of 50,000 refugees. This means that the European Union is at a crossroads. With Germany having lost most of its former power and with Greece having experienced political paralysis,