The United States and European Integration
Abstract
The East European revolution of 1989 has generated a broad debate over Europe's future a future in which all of Europe, whole and free, is to share. The terms of the debate, however, and some of the integrative processes underway have themselves created unintended obstacles to full European integration, the union of East and West. The speed and certainty with which the East European nations can return to a united Europe are in question. The debate over Europe's future actually addresses three separate, but closely related issues: European defense, European security, and the more theoretical concept of a European identity. The first is primarily a " debate about institutions the redefinition of old and creation of new to address more accurately the concrete defense needs of a Europe transformed by the massive and unilateral withdrawal of potential enemy forces. The second debate, concerning broader security issues, goes beyond specific defensive mechanisms and encompasses more ephemeral issues of confidence building, political crisis management, and the construction of a shared dependence on long-term stability. The third debate, over the question of European identity, is for now couched in traditional terms long articulated in the dialogue between the Europeanists and nationalists. For West Europeans, this aspect of the debate has not yet fully encompassed the problems of uniting a whole Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA436697
Entities
People
- Terry R. Snell
Organizations
- National Defense University