Is the EU a declining global power - Essay Example

Is the EU a declining global power? Introduction The definition of a global superpower attracts a lot of controversy. A global power can be defined as a country that can be regarded as large and having a wealth of many resources. The population of a global superpower is also large, and it has a strong economic base, which strengthens the world economy. A global power should also have the ability to implement decisions that will ensure the spread and allocation of resources favours all entities, which form part of it. The EU can be regarded as a global power within Europe, and its influence has spread to other parts (Nolte, 2010: 881). This paper examines whether the European Union is declining as a global power. More specifically, the paper will focus on the argument that the EU is a declining global power. The paper will explore some examples to indicate how the EU is declining as a global power. The EU as a declining global power The European Union has been in the forefront in influencing policies, both in Europe and other parts of the world. The organisation has been a strong agent of change that has determined the fate of many nations within and outside Europe. Among other aspects, the organisation has actively participated in enhancing trade within Europe and ensuring that there is harmonisation of trade policies within the European nations. This has led to the establishment of the Euro as a currency, which is widely used when carrying out business transactions in Europe. Despite the dominance of EU and its notable strength as a global superpower, the organisation has been experiencing some challenges that have contributed to its decline as a global power (Prys, 2010: 480). The eurozone, which mostly comprises of the leading states, which make up the European Union, have been faced with immense challenges that have threatened to cause the fall of the European Union. The individual challenges faced by the states separately have had a negative impact on their production systems and economic growth. As a result, this has led to the decline of the entire union since the member states contribute significantly to the continuity of the union. The aspects of innovation and enterprise that once took centre stage in the EU have faced significant challenges; they have been frustrated and their advancement hindered by a number of factors (Hothi, 2005: 12). For the last three decades, the economic growth rates in the European Union have declined significantly as compared to the rates of growth in other regional actors. This case demonstrates that the EU has declined as a global power since it has faced difficulties in competing with other regional powers. The economic importance of the EU has experienced immense challenges as a result of lack of dynamism within the union. One of the most notable cases that can indicate the decline of the EU is the Lisbon strategy of 2000. Based on this strategy, it was predicted that Europe would become the most competitive economy, which would be based on profound knowledge. This has not been the case since some nations within Europe have sabotaged the achievement of the objectives of this union (Nolte, 2010: 881). EU has been faced with the lack of appropriate strategies that can aid in the implementation of the goals, purposes, as well as objectives that it has set. The strategies set forth in the Lisbon strategy have not been easy to achieve since the EU has faced a decline in the productivity. In addition, the employment market in Europe is no longer flexible or predictable. As a result, the EU has faced numerous challenges in the implementation of some employment strategies that can help in the achievement of its goals. The political crises within some of the countries that make up the EU have also led to the decline of the global powers of the union. Some of the key actors within the union, such as Greece, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal have had several political conflicts whose solutions have not yet been found (Kappel, 2011: 8). As a result of the failure to come up with solutions to the political crisis within the EU, the continent of Europe has witnessed some degree of political instability, which has hindered the achievement of some goals. The EU has failed in addressing some of the issues that cause political instability within the union. With political instability proving to be an inevitable challenge, the powers of the EU to institute some policies regarding war have been curtailed. This has had an impact on the decline of the EU as a global power since it has failed in solving some conflicts within Europe (Prys, 2010: 483). Consequently, the EU has been challenged in the global arena when it attempts to impose policies on some nations in the third world. The main argument has centred on the fact that the EU cannot inform policies in countries outside the continent of Europe since it has been unable to solve problems within Europe (Youngs, 2010:2). The case for the decline of the EU as a global power can also be illustrated by the European politics, which have contributed to the decline of the EU. As of 2010, several governments in Europe have witnessed some fall. Such governments include Slovakia, Ireland, Netherlands, Greece, Finland, Slovenia, and Belgium. There is a high possibility that Greece will be eliminated from the EU, phenomenon that will see the country separate from the entire EU. If Greece happens to leave the EU, the monetary union of the Union will be adversely affected (Michael-Matsas, 2012: 485). The other case, which indicates a decline in the global powers of the EU, includes the lack of soft and hard power within the Union. Unlike the United States and the United Nations, the EU can be regarded as having limited military powers. The foreign policy, diplomacy, as well as military powers of the EU tend to be weaker than those of other global powers. As a result, this has thwarted the efforts of the EU to continue being dominant as a global power in the contemporary world. The weak foreign policies of the EU have also affected the business networks that the Union has created with other continents such as Africa. This makes it challenging for the EU to prove that it is a strong economic and political power within the EU, or establish itself as a formidable force in global politics (Nolte, 2010: 881). The decline in the global powers of the European Union can also emanates the fact that the Union tends to be preoccupied by itself and does not necessarily respect the desires of other nations. In the era of globalisation, the EU has declined in achieving some of the objectives that it had set to achieve. This emanates from the fact that the Union is seen to favour the interests of the nations within Europe and fails to consider the interests of other nations outside Europe. Although the Union ought to address issues within Europe, it is of necessity that it addresses some of the issues outside Europe, especially in relation to issues relating to the trading partners that conduct business with nations in Europe. The notion of Euro-centricity has acted as a barrier when it comes to the global roles that European nations ought to play (Youngs, 2010: 4). As a result of the inward looking nature of the EU, the European nations have not appealed to some of their neighbours. For example, the Mediterranean states and some of the African states have found trade with Europe to be challenging since the EU is considered to favour only the EU. The EU has lost some of the trading partners that used to be affiliated to Europe. This has made African countries seek other trading partners such as India, China, and Brazil. Global powers have shifted significantly from Europe the Middle East and the Far East. From the start of the 21st Century, China has risen as a global superpower, and it is likely to replace the EU. The main reason for the rise of China has been connected to the fact that China does not interfere with the sovereignty of the states, unlike the EU and its members. European powers are seen to interfere in the internal affairs of the states, especially with regard to the internal politics of nations. As such, most African nations have opted to do trade with China rather than with the EU (Destradi, 2010: 905). The increased tensions within the societies in Europe can also be regarded as another way in which the EU is declining. These tensions have had an impact on the relationships within states in the EU. This can be demonstrated by the resentments that have arisen towards Germany, which is considered the central power in Europe. These tensions have led to difficulties in the economic developments within Europe. The degeneration of the euro, which is the single currency used across the continent of Europe, has also led to the decline of the EU (Nugent, 2006: 561). Most global actors have seen it risky to invest in Europe since the value of the European currency has declines. This has been the case after the onset of the global financial crisis. Although the EU has declined over time, some arguments can be advanced to indicate that the EU is not a declining global power. Despite the many challenges that the Union has faced, there are some remarkable achievements it has made. These achievements serve as an indication that the UE is not necessarily declining, but it also works towards ensuring that it achieves its objectives. The EU can be regarded as a powerful entity in the global arena based on a number of reasons. From the time it began, the Union has managed to spur growth within Europe as it has contributed to international trade. With its various policies, international trade has become a reality in Europe since the EU has addressed some of the restrictions and barriers to trade (Biezen et. al., 2012: 25). The other factor, which indicates that the EU is not a declining global power, includes the fact that the Union’s introduction of a common currency has ensured that there is the elimination of the challenges that may accompany international trade. The EU has also eliminated trade restrictions such as tariffs since it has introduced common standards of trade among the member states. The EU can also be considered a global superpower since it has created a market, which has liberalized trade within the continent of Europe. The allocation and distribution of resources within Europe has also become a reality because of the dedication of the Union. Consequently, members of the Union have created a lot of wealth since the use of resources has become effective (Biezen et. al., 2012: 27). The strength of the EU can also be seen from the efforts that it makes when it comes to establishing policies that relate to the sale and distribution of illicit drugs within Europe, as well as all over the world. The EU policy on drugs has aimed at ensuring that the trade in such drugs does not spread globally. To achieve this, the EU ensures that it puts restrictions on the trade in drugs and prosecutes all those found engaging in such trade (Destradi, 2010: 908). Conclusion In conclusion, the EU is a global superpower whose influence can be felt in Europe, as well as in other countries outside Europe. Over the years, the EU has faced some considerable decline as a global superpower owing to the challenges that have curtailed its operations. The economic growth within the EU has declined because of the trade policies, which do not favour other regions, but only favour the countries in Europe. The decline in the global powers of the EU has also emanated from the political instability within Europe. On the positive side, the EU cannot be regarded as a declining global power because of the various achievements that the Union has had. The EU has managed to harmonise trade policies within Europe in order to ensure that all countries reap the benefits of international trade. References List Biezen, V. I. et. al. (2012). The decline of party membership in contemporary Europe, European Journal of Political Research 51(1), pp. 24–56. Destradi, S. (2010). Regional Powers and Their Strategies: Empire, Hegemony, and Leadership, in: Review of International Studies 36 (4), pp. 903−930. Hothi, N. R. (2005). Globalisation & manufacturing decline: aspects of British industry, Bury St. Edmunds, Arena. Pp. 12-24. Kappel, R. (2011). The Decline of Europe and the US: Shifts in the World Economy and in Global Politics, Focus 1(2), pp. 1-8. Michael-Matsas, S. (2012). Greece and the Decline of Europe, Journal of Socialist Theory 40(4), pp. 485-499. Nolte, D. (2010). How to Compare Regional Powers: Analytical Concepts and Research Topics, Review of International Studies 36(3), pp. 881-901. Nugent, N. (2006). The government and politics of the European Union, Durham, Duke University Press. pp. 561. Prys, M. (2010). Homogeny, Domination, Detachment: Differences in Regional Powerhood, International Studies Review 12 (4), pp. 479-504. Youngs, R. (2010). Europes decline and fall the struggle against global irrelevance, London, Profile Books. pp. 1-20. Read More