Europe as a Stronger Global Actor
Challenges and Strategic Responses

Authors: Simon Duke



Examines the state of the EU’s global relations at a time of internal and external upheaval

Argues that the EU suffers from strategic drift

Offers some structured suggestions for managing the EU’s global relevance                                   

This book considers the principal challenges facing the European Union, which has been buffeted by a series of profound crises, both internal and external. These range from the future of Ukraine, the Union’s reactions to China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, how to help stabilize countries to its south, and relations with the United States. The core argument is that the EU lacks a meta-narrative that could indicate priorities and linkages between the various continental, regional, national and thematic strategies. As a result, the EU often appears to be a confusing and even contradictory actor to many international partners. In response to these challenges the EU needs to develop a deeper sense of strategic awareness and confidence so that it may give a more convincing response to fundamental questions about the Union’s role, purpose and identity in a changing world.

Table of contents

Front Matter

Introduction

The EU’s Strategic Unconsciousness and Normative Hubris

Existential Doubts and Strategic Dilemmas

In Search of Strategy

The Return of Geopolitics and Relations to the East

Geopolitics in the Post–Arab Spring

Transatlantic Relations and Europe’s Missing Asia Pivot

Europe’s Harder Edges: Security and Defence

Putting Effectiveness into Multilateralism

Strategy, Implementation and Means

Reconceptualizing the World and the Liberal Delusion

Back Matter