Exploring the risks associated with a dominant U.S. perspective in global politics, this book critiques the 'unipolar view' that suggests American supremacy should dictate international actions. It delves into the implications of such a worldview, advocating for a more balanced approach to global relations that considers multiple perspectives and power dynamics. The analysis encourages readers to rethink the consequences of unilateralism and the importance of cooperative engagement among nations.
Challenging the dominant narrative that history is defined by the events of 1945, this work presents a nuanced perspective on historical continuity and change. The author argues for a broader understanding of history, emphasizing that significant developments occurred before and after this pivotal year. By examining lesser-known events and trends, the book invites readers to reconsider the timeline and impact of historical moments, ultimately fostering a more comprehensive view of the past.
The book explores the risks associated with a unipolar perspective in global politics, particularly the dominance of the United States. It critiques the implications of this viewpoint, arguing that it can lead to misguided actions and policies. Through analysis, the author emphasizes the need for a more balanced approach to international relations that considers the complexities of a multipolar world.
Rethinking Europe's Future is a major reevaluation of Europe's prospects as it enters the twenty-first century. David Calleo has written a book worthy of the complexity and grandeur of the challenges Europe now faces. Summoning the insights of history, political economy, and philosophy, he explains why Europe was for a long time the world's greatest problem and how the Cold War's bipolar partition brought stability of a sort. Without the Cold War, Europe risks revisiting its more traditional history. With so many contingent factors--in particular Russia and Europe's Muslim neighbors--no one, Calleo believes, can pretend to predict the future with assurance. Calleo's book ponders how to think about this future. The book begins by considering the rival ''lessons'' and trends that emerge from Europe's deeper past. It goes on to discuss the theories for managing the traditional state system, the transition from autocratic states to communitarian nation states, the enduring strength of nation states, and their uneasy relationship with capitalism. Calleo next focuses on the Cold War's dynamic legacies for Europe--an Atlantic Alliance, a European Union, and a global economy. These three systems now compete to define the future. The book's third and major section examines how Europe has tried to meet the present challenges of Russian weakness and German reunification. Succeeding chapters focus on Maastricht and the Euro, on the impact of globalization on Europeanization, and on the EU's unfinished business--expanding into ''Pan Europe,'' adapting a hybrid constitution, and creating a new security system. Calleo presents three models of a new Europe--each proposing a different relationship with the U.S. and Russia. A final chapter probes how a strong European Union might affect the world and the prospects for American hegemony. This is a beautifully written book that offers rich insight into a critical moment in our history, whose outcome will shape the world long after our time.
Recoge: Introduction - 1. The Franco-German Relationship in a New Europe - 2. Europeïs Franco-German Engine: General Perspectives - 3. French and German Approaches to Organizing Europeïs Future Security and Defense: A French Perspective - 4. Deux Rêves dans un Seul Lit: Franco-German Security Cooperation - 5. EMU and the Franco-German Relationshisp - 6. Franco-German Economic Relations - 7. The Franco-German Axis from de Gaulle to Chirac - 8. Contributors
