Rethinking Europe's Future

Throughout his career, Calleo has "rethought Europe's future." This comprehensive volume touches on, inter alia, international relations theory, the history of European integration, transatlantic relations, the tradition of European mercantilism, the euro,and the still-limited progress toward a common foreign and security policy. The reader will also find in this symphonic work many themes from Calleo's previous compositions. The author calls for an "articulated pan-European model" that would foster more cooperation with Russia and a "more balanced Atlantic Alliance." Protectionism is appropriate because states have "the duty to protect the welfare of their peoples." The dominant U.S. role in European security matters needs to be reduced, and NATO's expansion is a mistake. The European Union should develop institutions that recognize the continuing importance of the nation-state as well as create efficient structures for cooperation. Nato should reflect the rise of the EU as a major actor in world affairs, and Washington should realize that a "Euro-American form of global leadership" may be more acceptable to the world than American hegemony.

This book was obviously written before the current world economic slump. The transformations brought about by the rude awakening to the global effects of terrorism might include a slowing down of European integration and EU enlargement. Nations might well feel compelled to reassert their own control over greater domestic security, and Europeans' reaction to the U.S. antiterror campaign may diverge from that of Americans. It will be interesting to read future essays by Calleo on these momentous changes.