The European Union and Emerging Powers in the 21st Century: How Europe Can Shape a New Global Order

Since the end of the Cold War and the old bipolar system, the world is becoming increasingly multipolar. A certain number of nations that used to be part of the developing world are catching up quickly with the developed world, not only economically (although it is the most visible aspect of the multipolarisation of the world) but also politically, technologically, culturally or militarily. These emerging powers increasingly challenge the traditional leadership of the West in international affairs.This book analyses the transformation of the global structure of power, and questions the possibility left for the European Union to emerge as a primary pole of the multipolar system. To explore the place of the EU in relation to emerging powers, the authors reflect on the attributes of power of the EU; on its need to develop a grand strategy and to become more effective within multilateral forums; on the perceptions of the EU by emerging powers; and finally on the true meaning of the strategic partnerships negotiated with these emerging powers.This book is neither optimistic nor pessimistic. It simply depicts a world that is ever more challenging seen from Brussels, but to which it is still possible to adapt.