The European union: A sound superpower in a multipolar world

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the role of the European Union (EU) from an evolutionary perspective, emphasizing the powerful forces behind its own incremental configuration and complex but resilient governance. Since the economic crisis erupted in 2008, and particularly in the period of 2014-2017, the EU was predicted, almost condemned, to unravel, overcome by both internal (rise of populism, Brexit, demise of the Eurozone) and external (an arch of instability: Russia, Middle East, North Africa) pressure. Yet, the EU has consistently defied pessimists and this chapter argues that it will continue to do so. In a world of strategic atrophy and unpredictability, the EU will remain a sound and predictable superpower able to evolve and adapt while helping to preserve and reshape a liberal multi-polar international order.