The next European century? : Europe in global politics in the twenty-first century

Abstract

This article addresses the key challenges facing Europe in the face of the fraying of the World Order that emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War. It identifies four issues that may disrupt the multilateral world order – the rise of China, disruption to the trans-Atlantic relationship, the challenge of Russia and climate change. It concludes by highlighting EU efforts to respond to this challenge and questions whether these are a case of failing forward, failing better or the growing pains of a new strategic actor.