Old Europe, new Europe, core Europe. Transatlantic relations after the Iraq war

Abstract:

Europe was divided over the Iraq war and in the US there was vociferous criticism of 'Old Europe' - comprising in their terms all those in Europe who did not follow the American line. There was a clamour in the European press regarding the 'poodle' status of Europe and the overarching supremacy of the United States.

The argument was taken up by a group of distinguished philosophers led by the leading German philosopher Jürgen Habermas. He published a manifesto in alliance with the French philosopher Jacques Derrida promoting the idea of a 'core Europe' distinct from both the British and the 'new' European candidates for EU membership. The significant element in the manifesto was the insistence on the need for a counterweight to the perceived influence of the US which resonates in debates about the establishment of a European military force with command structures independent of NATO.

This work, which is designed to help an English-speaking audience to join the debates that have emerged in Europe as a result of the divisions between 'old Europe' and the Anglo-American 'new' European alliance over the decision to invade Iraq, is organised in three sections. The first is dedicated to the original contributions by Jürgen Habermas and those he invited to join his initiative. Part two deals with the responses to the initiative. The last section comprises contributions that featured in the German press - being complementary to but not part of the Habermas initiative - and some essays specially commissioned for the work.

The work will interest academics, politicians, researchers and anyone concerned about the future of the transatlantic alliance.