Bridging the Transatlantic Divide: The American-European Relations and their Influence on European Unification
Bridging the Transatlantic Divide: The American-European Relations and their Influence on European Unification

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to study the contemporary relations between transatlantic partners, USA and Europe, which represent the wealthiest and politically and militarily strongest part of the World, through consulting the relevant bibliography of American and European authors of different political orientation and worldview. The USA-Europe relations are characterized by continuous ups and downs caused by: huge differences in military and political power, different visions of international relations and international community and competition between American unilateralism and European multipolarism. The relations between transatlantic partners always influenced the process of European unification. The states that participated in this process were often divided between because of their relations with the USA. Division was clearly visible during the Iraqi crisis in 2002 and 2003, but it is also visible today. Where the division was especially visible was NATO, the main guarantee of European security and military-political organization with capabilities to act militarily. The election of B. Obama for President of the USA and a change in the White House became the key factors that direct the US policy towards the multilateralism and global leadership instead of global hegemony. The USA must again become a leader, and at the same time stop being a hegemon. That will positively affect its relations with Europe and the World in general.

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