Old Europe, New Security: Evolution for a Complex World(Ethics and Global Politics)

Many of the US criticisms of Western European reluctance to engage in the 2004 war in Iraq stem from a perception that these governments are 'weak on defense', or unwilling to 'pull their own weight' in the international system. Secretary Rumsfeld pejoratively designated traditional Atlantic Alliance allies as 'Old Europe', to distinguish them from the freshly minted, cooperative states of 'New Europe'. In doing so, Rumsfeld accused 'Old Europe' of yet again relying on the United States to solve shared security problems. This volume critically evaluates the validity of this view of Western Europe choices and policies. It proposes that Western European governments, rather than shirking on defense, instead are expanding the set of tools they have to apply to the post-Cold War array of security and defense problems. Rather than a primary reliance on military force as first line defense, they are developing instruments that rely on economics, diplomacy, even engagement by negotiation for a special relationship or for membership. This volume examines the emergent European security approach from multiple perspectives, in multiple institutions and identities, and in different geographic contexts.

Table of Contents:
European Security Conceptualized: Transatlantic security values: hegemonic versus shared power, Mary Troy Johnston; Historical precedents for the current European security and defense policy, Janet Adamski; Symbolic security: Europe takes a human face, Peter Liotta; European security and defense policy: The EU's search for a strategic role, Ken Keulman; European security institutions and structures, Charles Krupnick; NATO's transformation, Christopher Jones; European security and defense policy: capabilities for a complex world, Major Christina Schweiss. European Security in Action: The European Union in the Balkans: from intervention to accession, Colonel Cindy Jeb and Major Christina Schweiss; The European Union and the Middle East: the benefits of soft power, Ruth Beitler; The European Union and the Russian Federation, Vidya Nadkarni; Latin American security: European perspectives and approaches, Joaquin Roy; Conclusions, Janet Adamski and Mary Troy Johnston; Index.

About the Author :
Janet Adamski is Visiting Associate Professor of History and Political Science at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, USA. Dr Mary Troy Johnson is Associate Professor of Political Science at Loyola University New Orleans, USA. Major Christina Schweiss is Assistant Professor and Head Counselor at the Department of Social Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point, USA.