Original scientific paper
BRIDGING THE TRANSATLANTIC DIVIDE: THE AMERICAN- -EUROPEAN RELATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON EUROPEAN UNIFICATION
Petar KUREČIĆ
; Croatian Parliament, Zagreb
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to study the contemporary relations
between transatlantic partners, USA and Europe, which represent
the wealthiest and politically and militarily strongest part of the
World, through consulting the relevant bibliography of American
and European authors of different political orientation and
worldview. The USA-Europe relations are characterized by
continuous ups and downs caused by: huge differences in
military and political power, different visions of international
relations and international community and competition between
American unilateralism and European multipolarism. The
relations between transatlantic partners always influenced the
process of European unification. The states that participated in
this process were often divided between because of their relations
with the USA. Division was clearly visible during the Iraqi crisis in
2002 and 2003, but it is also visible today. Where the division
was especially visible was NATO, the main guarantee of
European security and military-political organization with
capabilities to act militarily. The election of B. Obama for
President of the USA and a change in the White House became
the key factors that direct the US policy towards the
multilateralism and global leadership instead of global
hegemony. The USA must again become a leader, and at the
same time stop being a hegemon. That will positively affect its
relations with Europe and the World in general.
Keywords
The USA; American global policy; neoconservatives; Europe; transatlantic relations
Hrčak ID:
37187
URI
Publication date:
30.4.2009.
Visits: 2.657 *