Europe, America, Bush. Transatlantic relations in the twenty-first century

Abstract:

The strength of a relationship is often measured by its capacity to withstand assault from outside which might pose differing stresses on the parties to the relationship. The transatlantic alliance has surely survived such assaults in the past and to many has been deepened by them. Sometimes the balance of interdependence in a relationship becomes tilted, giving rise to doubts and suspicions by one or both parties. The emergence of a strengthening European Union might be one such factor in the transatlantic alliance. The arrival of George W. Bush at the White House might be another. This book sets out to assess the impact of George W. Bush on transatlantic relations and in the process goes on to assess the effects of 9/11 and the Iraq war.

The book is organised over ten chapters. Following a comprehensive background introduction chapter two explores the state of the relationship in respect of foreign and defence policy. Economic relations are the focus of chapter three which argues that trade relationships are not damaged by political change or tensions ('show me the money' holds the ring) on either side of the relationship. This cannot be said of justice and internal security issues which are covered in chapter four. Strengthening co-operation was already in place between the EU and the US prior to 9/11 and the mutual response to the threat of terrorism was helping that situation, but 'security' is a corridor walked by paranoids with plenty of room for doubts and suspicion. Similar doubts and suspicions arise in environmental issues and the disagreements over Kyoto seriously undermine attempts by some to have the EU and USA leading the environmental protection lobbies.

The next three chapters feature regional issues important to both the USA and the EU. Chapter six focuses on the differing style in relationships between Russia and the US and between the EU and Russia. Chapter seven looks at the Balkans which the US are stepping back from to allow the EU to tidy up its own backyard, whilst in the Middle East the US has shown both ambition to be the dominant power and little taste for the inhibiting influences of multilateralism advocated by the EU, which is covered in chapter eight. This departure in attitudes in the Middle East is examined more closely in chapter nine and is considered to be an over simplification of the reality. Chapter ten draws on the earlier chapters to present a conclusion that despite the strains placed upon the relationship by 9/11 and the Iraq war, the transatlantic relationship was not fundamentally changed by the election of George W Bush to the White House in November 2000.

The book will interest scholars and students of international relations and political sciences and all those with a genuine interest in the Transatlantic Alliance.

John Peterson is Jean Monnet Professor of European Politics at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Mark A. Pollack is Associate Professor of Political Science and European Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.