Europe in the World: The Persistence of Power Politics

by Maurice Keens-Soper

Overview

Preoccupation with the EU's internal affairs risks ignoring the extent to which Europe itself will now be shaped by foreign affairs. The future of Europe lies in its own hands only if it organizes itself to adjust to events in a world diplomatic system over which it can hope to have only limited control. The global setting in which Europe will have to find a place is the reverse image of its post-1945 direction. Whereas Western Europe's states have renounced 'power politics' among themselves, the rest of the world has done no such thing. The basis of inter-state relations remains remarkably similar to Rousseau's description as the 'constant action and reaction of powers in continued agitation'. Failure to recognize the persistence of power politics is now among the principal obstacles to Europe's future. It is as if recovery from the nemesis of mid-century has produced hubris towards its end. Europe finds it hard to accept that it must coexist with the outside world on terms increasingly set not by its own virtuous example of reconciliation among old enemies and the creation of political union, but by states who see little reason to follow its example. More fundamental than blueprints and policies for European Monetary Union and the European Union enlargement, Europe needs a trustworthy grasp of the world's foreign affairs to which its diplomacy must apply and its statecraft contribute.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333914793
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	12/09/1998
Edition description:	1999
Pages:	205
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1470L (what's this?)

About the Author

MAURICE KEENS-SOPER is Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Diplomacy, University of Leicester. He has written and edited many books in international relations and political theory, including editing The Political Classics (3 volumes. with M. Forsyth). He was the winner of the 1997 Philip Morris Institute Europe Essay Prize. The present book was developed from the themes of this essay.

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations Introduction PART I: THE MATTER AND FORM OF EUROPE Renunciation and Reformation The Diplomatic System PART II: SYSTEMATIC DISORDERS Globalization Powers of Decision PART III: EVER CLOSER AGITATIONS Ineffectual Europa Occluded Albion Index

Editorial Reviews

'This book offers a lively and often erudite examination of Europe's role in the world. Maurice Keens-Soper discusses the EU of today, with its emphasis on integration and the challenges of globalization, against a wider historical context.' - Peter Sutherland, Chairman, Goldman Sachs International; formerly Chairman of GATT and former European Commissioner

'The distinctive and admirable feature of Maurice Keens-Soper's book is that it confronts unequivocally the fundamental issue at the heart of European integration. This issue is, as he demonstrates, political through and through. It relates to the present and future place of the EU, as a political body, within the wider context of world power politics. Dr Keens-Soper brings his knowledge of political philosophy and diplomatic history to bear cogently on this question, and strips away a host of comforting generalisations with which it is too often veiled and avoided, before establishing some home truths. Written in a pungent style, rich in imagery and humour, his work is accessible both to the academic and to the wider public.' - Murray Forsyth, West European Politics

'..a mixture of philosophical principle and historical assertion, written with style and wit, without any heavy critical apparatus or bibliography. The whole work is individualistic, eccentric and oddly balanced.' - J.M. Lee, European Foreign Affairs

'His book is a brilliant, learned, and entertaining plea for a more effective Europe, wisely warning that economic globalization cannot be left to itself. This is a thoughtful and vigorous work.' - Foreign Affairs

From the Publisher

While western Europe's states have renounced "power politics" among themselves, the rest of the world has not. This analysis confronts an issue at the heart of European integration, and relates the present and future place of the EU, as a political body, within the wider context of world power politics. The author asserts that Europe must find a way to co-exist with the outside world on terms increasingly set not by its own example of reconciliation and the creation of political union, but by states who see little reason to follow that example. Keens-Soper is a fellow at the Center for the Study of Diplomacy, University of Leicester. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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