The recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the American war with Iraq and the European lack of unity, led to a deterioration of U.S. relations with the European Union. It is the goal of this term paper to explain the historic aspect of the transatlantic dialogue in general and discuss the recent developments.
The paper is split up into three parts. At first, it tries to give an historical overview about the transatlantic relations from 1948 to 1990. The second part discusses the changes in the nineties and the most important documents in the dialogue between the U.S. and the EU. The third and concluding part analyses the status quo of transatlantic relations and explains the reasons of the “new crisis”.
Table of Contents
I. Historical Development
II. The Nineties: Foundation of a close Dialogue
III. Status quo: The New Crisis
Objectives and Topics
This term paper examines the historical development and current state of transatlantic relations between the United States and the European Union, focusing on how shifting political and economic dynamics have transformed the dialogue from a period of postwar asymmetry to a contemporary "new crisis."
- Historical evolution of U.S.-EU relations from 1948 to 1990.
- Impact of the New Transatlantic Agenda and the 1990s institutional framework.
- Economic integration processes and their geopolitical implications.
- Analysis of recent conflicts, specifically the Iraq war and divergent foreign policy approaches.
- Challenges to transatlantic cooperation in the post-September 11th era.
Excerpt from the Book
I. Historical Development
Roy Ginsberg divided contacts between the United States and the European Union into four periods: the first, 1948-1958, was one of general harmony; the second, 1958-1969, was a period when General Charles de Gaulle was in power in France and contacts became contentious; the third, 1971-1982, witnessed a further deterioration of this relationship; and the fourth, after 1985, has been characterized by an awareness on both sides of the Atlantic that transatlantic cooperation must be strengthened and deepened.
There is no doubt that we have to add other periods after the recent developments, which will be discussed in the second and third parts of the paper.
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the European Community were initiated in 1953 when the first US observers were sent to the European Coal and Steel Community. The Delegation of the European Commission to the United States in Washington, D.C. was established in 1954, and the United States Mission to the European Communities, now the United States Mission to the European Union, was established in 1961 in Brussels.
The period from 1948 to 1958 was characterized by an asymmetrical relationship. After World War II, the U.S. emerged as a superpower and was active in creating a post-war economic and political order. The European Community, on the other hand, “possessed neither the political might nor the economic wherewithal to challenge the economic dominance of the U.S.” Babarinde mentions two examples for the U.S. dominance: the Suez and the Vietnam crises, and in both cases prevailed the U.S. policies. In these times the European countries did not have the power to challenge U.S. policies.
Summary of Chapters
I. Historical Development: This chapter reviews the evolution of transatlantic relations from 1948 to the mid-eighties, highlighting the shift from an era of American dominance to periods of increased tension under French leadership and economic disputes.
II. The Nineties: Foundation of a close Dialogue: This chapter focuses on the solidification of U.S.-EU relations through the 1990 Transatlantic Declaration and the 1995 New Transatlantic Agenda, which aimed to broaden cooperation beyond mere trade.
III. Status quo: The New Crisis: This chapter analyzes the current strain in the relationship, attributing the deterioration to post-9/11 security policies, specifically the Iraq war, and the lack of a unified European foreign policy.
Keywords
Transatlantic Dialogue, United States, European Union, International Regionalism, Historical Development, New Transatlantic Agenda, Foreign Policy, Economic Relations, Iraq War, NATO, European Integration, Geopolitics, Multilateralism, Asymmetry, Security Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the historical progression and contemporary challenges of the relationship between the United States and the European Union, specifically addressing why their partnership has entered a period of crisis.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
Key themes include historical diplomatic milestones, the institutionalization of U.S.-EU cooperation in the 1990s, trade dynamics, and recent political divergences over security and international conflicts.
What is the core research question or objective?
The objective is to explain the historical context of the transatlantic dialogue and discuss the factors contributing to the "new crisis" in relations following the American war with Iraq.
Which methodology is utilized in this paper?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, utilizing existing literature and international agreements to track the development of bilateral relations through distinct chronological periods.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the asymmetrical nature of early post-WWII relations, the institutional developments of the 1990s like the New Transatlantic Agenda, and the subsequent friction caused by diverging U.S. and European approaches to global security.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Transatlantic Dialogue, European Integration, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, and the impact of the New Transatlantic Agenda.
How did the role of the European Union change from the 1950s to the present day?
The EU evolved from an economically and politically subordinate "junior partner" in the post-war era to a significant global player with comparable economic weight to the U.S., though it still lags behind in unified foreign and security policy.
Why does the author consider the current state of relations a "new crisis"?
The crisis stems from deep disagreements over international interventions, such as the 2003 Iraq war, and a move by the U.S. toward unilateralism that challenges the importance of the United Nations and traditional transatlantic cooperation.
- Quote paper
- Bernhard Hagen (Author), 2003, European Union and United States: Problems and Perspectives of the Transatlantic Dialogue, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75605
