A Changing Europe: The Maturation of the European Community and How It Will Affect the Trans-Atlantic Link
Abstract
This paper scrutinizes the maturation of the European Community (EC) and the potential impact of the EC's 1992 Single Market Plan. The EC is striving to achieve economic and political unity, and to be treated as an equal partner by the U.S. but it still does not exist as a unified political structure, in spite of its potential economic clout and for all its initiatives and aspirations toward unity. This paper examines the divisive factors that the Community must overcome if it wants to be able to speak with a single European voice. Study conclusions include: (1) European political fragmentation will be the greatest single impediment to managing the changing political and security landscape of Europe. Consequently, Europe will continue to look to the United States to maintain stability on the continent. (2) The EC's 1992 Single Market Plan will succeed in degrees. The EC will not develop into a tightly knit, federated Europe led by a transnational organization, but will become a confederation of nations that have common macroeconomic policies. (3) Political, economic, and security considerations will compel the EC to establish formal and productive links with the U.S. (4) The U.S. will retain its leadership role but will find leading by consensus instead of decree to be more effective. (5) NATO will gradually change from a defensive to a political alliance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA239437
Entities
People
- Albion A. Bergstrom
- Thomas G. Russell
- Treatifelom S. Teele
Organizations
- United States Army War College