From Modern Power to a Postmodern Example: The Evolution of the European Union

Abstract

The world has its eyes set on the future direction of the European Union waiting for either a signal of stability and authority which can be the beginning of a new superpower era or expecting to catch any failure or contradiction that can be interpreted as a clear symbol of decline. Why is so much attention paid towards the development of European Union and to its future evolution? The answer can be summarized by the fact that Europe is the contemporary model of a unique and exceptional international player, which has gone through a period of political-military power in the 19th century and then shifted to the new direction of civilian-institutional power in the 21st century. The world wishes to find out whether this strategy will pay back, set an example of a different choice for other nations in the near future to adopt, and become the goal to reach for the world as a whole. There are various opinions sometimes conflicting with one another; this paper takes a look at the major views on the evolution of the EU and touches some of the major challenges for the future of the Union worthy of consideration and deeper reflection. © 2010, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. All rights reserved.