What Price Sovereignty. The Two Faces of Engagement and the Paradox of Power: A Comparison of the Security and Grand Strategies of the United States and the European Union.

摘要

Twenty years after the Cold War, is Atlanticism still relevant. Do the United States and Europe share a common security and defense vision. By comparing and contrasting the most recent United States and European Union security strategies, it is possible to draw conclusions about a shared vision and differing means to achieve that vision. By tracing the historical development of American grand strategy, it is possible to draw conclusions about the role of Atlanticism on the formulation and execution of American foreign policy. The initial examination explores the isolation and consolidation phase of American grand strategy in the Louisiana Purchase, Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, Mexican-American War, and Spanish-American War, leading to inevitable empire. Further exploration examines the transition period in President Franklin Roosevelt's and other American diplomatic visions of Europe that transitioned America into a hegemonic position through engagement and empire via American economic and cultural exceptionalism. The final stage of American grand strategy becomes clear through a consideration of American diplomatic efforts in Europe during the 20th century. A brief analysis of the historical role of European anti-Americanism expresses Europe's response to America's grand strategy. This exercise highlights both the paradox within European strategy between a socially cooperative ideal, which is elucidated through a selected case study of the European Intermarium countries, and European geopolitical reality. A further discussion explores the price of sovereignty as an impediment to executing the full vision of a European grand strategy, highlighting the paradox of power between the United States and European Union security strategies. In conclusion, some observations are offered regarding the future of Atlanticism, the future of potential further European Union political integration, and the potential for a new and shared grand strategy.