The Next Superpower?: The Rise of Europe and Its Challenge to the United States - Hardcover

Schnabel, Rockwell A.; Rocca, Francis X.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0742545474 ISBN 13: 9780742545472

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2005

Synopsis

Americans have been recently lectured that "Americans are from Mars and Europeans are from Venus." But this slogan fails to account for the economic might of the European Union, which has elevated the EU-and its member countries-to near superpower status. What are the implications of this development for the United States? Ambassador Rockwell A. Schnabel and Francis X. Rocca take up this critical and complex question in a detailed, firsthand analysis of the EU institutions, their leadership, and the member countries. Although Europe today cannot challenge America in military terms, the 25-nation economic giant can influence world events to the benefit or detriment of the United States. This book will answer the timely and crucial question of how the "rise of Europe will affect U.S. prosperity and security for decades to come."

Ambassador Schnabel dispenses with diplomatic niceties. He is critical of both U.S. and European policies. Schnabel and Rocca give readers a compelling and provocative inside look at the people and issues that will decide whether the world's most consequential partnership flourishes or flounders. While alerting readers to the economic and geopolitical challenges posed by a stronger EU, the authors reject the complacency of those who see American "unipolarity" as a license to neglect our allies, or those who entertain the illusion that we can "divide and conquer" Europe. This book will make clear why the U.S. must work with the EU-or expect the EU to work against it.

About this title

About the Author

Rockwell A. Schnabel was the United States ambassador to the European Union from 2001 to 2005; ambassador to Finland under President Ronald Reagan; and Deputy Secretary of Commerce under President George H. W. Bush. A longtime businessman, he is the advisory director, co-founder, and former chairman of Trident Capital. Ambassador Schnabel was born in the Netherlands, where he attended Trinity College. He lives in Los Angeles.

Francis X. Rocca is an American journalist based in Rome. He has written about European business, politics, and culture for the Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, the Chronicle of Higher Education, BusinessWeek, the Atlantic Monthly, and the American Spectator, among other publications. He is a graduate of Harvard College (A.B.) and Yale University (Ph.D.).

From the Back Cover

"Ambassador Schnabel's well-written, intelligent, and entertaining book should be read with profit by Americans and Europeans alike. Americans will learn what has been happening on this side of the Atlantic some of it with American help. Europeans will discover what we look like to a smart insider and friend. All should recognize that America and Europe are best served when we work together as partners the rest of the world is better off too." Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor, The University of Oxford.

"The best book yet written on the geopolitical significance of the economic colossus of the European Union and its tendentious relations with America. It is a must-read for Europeans and Americans who are concerned about the future of the Atlantic partnership." Robert Mundell, Nobel Laureate in Economics, "Father of the Euro".

"GE knows that the regulations that American companies have to follow--even within America itself--are increasingly set in Brussels. Ambassador Schnabel explains why every global company must understand how the EU affects the way they do business. He also explains why, and how, the United States and Europe should work together for our mutual good. For business people, government policy makers, and other Americans wishing to understand the EU, this book is an indispensable guide." Jeff Immelt, Chairman & CEO of General Electric Company

"As a European born, naturalized American, with a strong pragmatic business streak, Rock Schnabel brings a singular perspective to EU-U.S. relations. A must read for those who want to understand why this historic alliance is critical to global security and prosperity." Niall FitzGerald, Chairman of Reuters Ltd.

"For Americans who have puzzled over the meaning of Europe's economic and political integration, and for those who have frankly wondered why they should care, Rock Schnabel's book is a revelation. In clear and forceful terms, our former ambassador to Brussels explains what the European Union is, how it works, and how it is changing the world balance of power." Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Senior Managing Director of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC.

"For more than half a century, the Atlantic Alliance has been the basis for European security and a cornerstone of global stability. Now Europe is beginning to develop a collective military identity of its own, without the participation of the United States. In this timely and insightful book, Ambassador Schnabel identifies the dangers and opportunities arising from the European Union's growing authority in security and defense; and explains why and how Europe and America should reaffirm our historic partnership." General Joseph W. Ralston of USAF (Ret), Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.

"Having worked closely with Ambassador Schnabel during my term as President of the European Parliament I can attest to the pivotal role which he played in the vital arena of EU-U.S. relations. This book is testimony to his insider witness and feel, and a convincing argument that the best option for the future of both Europe and America is one of intelligent interdependence." Pat Cox, Former President of European Parliament.

"America's political and business leaders have long wondered, in Dr. Kissinger's famous phrase, whom they are supposed to call when they want to reach Europe. Ambassador Schnabel's book answers that question, and explains why the rise of the European Union is making transatlantic relations at once more challenging and potentially more fruitful for both sides." Jorma Ollila, Chairman & CEO of Nokia Corporation.

"The Next Superpower is one of the most important books ever written about the European Union, one of the least understood but most important institutions in the world. From an inside perspective, as America's widely respected U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, Rockwell Schnabel clearly and convincingly explains, in ways few have done, how the EU works; its crucial economic and political impacts; the need to support a strong, unified Europe; and the critical importance to U.S. economic and security interests of assuring that in the post-Cold War era, America and Europe remain essential partners in championing democracy, free markets, and human rights around the world." Stuart Eizenstat, Former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union (1993-1996), Under Secretary of Commerce, Under Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

"The task of revitalizing the Atlantic alliance is one of the highest priorities for American foreign policy. Only by restoring a sense of common purpose to history's most successful coalition of free-market democracies can the Bush administration achieve its lofty ambition of spreading freedom around the world. Nobody understands this mission better than Rockwell Schnabel, who has served with great distinction in difficult times as the United States ambassador to the European Union. This book explains why transatlantic rivalry is self-defeating and how Europe and America must rebuild their partnership to succeed in coping with the economic and security challenges of the 21st century."- William M. Drozdiak, President, American Council on Germany, Former Foreign Editor of The Washington Post.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0742545474
• ISBN 13: 9780742545472
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192