Will Europe Become a Superpower?

Having expanded to twenty five states the European Union is only becoming larger and stronger. Europe is definitely a power in it's own right and could have claims to ‘superpower status' in the future. The creation and implementation of the European Union has ensured that the continent has become more integrated and unified. It has brought stronger internal cohesion between the member nations as they all have common goals and objectives that will maintain and sustain the credibility of the European Union. As an alliance the largest countries such as France and Germany seem stronger politically than when they were independent of the union. From a political standpoint several of the Countries who decided not to accompany the United States in the war against Iraq exemplify this notion. "Rather than rallying behind the United States, countries around the world are distancing themselves from Washington and locking arms to resist a wayward America." Kupchan (2003, p205)

From an economic point of view the European Union continues to get stronger and is arguably the most important trading bloc in the world. "Around the 450 million citizens of the EU, there are another 1.5 billion people who depend completely on an EU that is their biggest trade partner and their biggest source of credit, foreign investment, and aid." Leonard (2005). Certainly since its inception the European Union continues to grow and is an essential participant in the global economy. If the European Union can continue to build on its foundations then it has the potential to become a superpower. However the European Union can not yet compete with the United States from a military perspective.
This paper will examine the possibilities for the European Union in the near future, look at the United States in comparison and argue that there will be a redistribution of global power throughout the next century.

Prior to this century Europe had always been a hegemonic force throughout the world and... [continues]

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