The Paradoxes of the Liberal Order: Transatlantic Relations and Security Governance

Abstract

Since the middle of the last century and especially since the end of the Cold War, the USA has been at the epicentre of international security-its vast political, economic and military resources (still) unmatched. A consequence of US pre-eminence is that the setup of today's security gov-ernance still largely refl ects American preferences, as well as US relations with countries that possess resources large enough to affect its action. Such countries include rivals, but also partners and allies, through which US power expands and endures. Historically, no partnership has been more important for the USA than the one with European countries, and transatlantic cooperation remains a pillar of today's security governance complex. The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the role of transatlantic relations in shaping security gover-nance structures as part of the broader, Western-promoted liberal order. The chapter then highlights the challenges to the liberal order emanating from within the transatlantic area as well as from outside of it. Finally, it assesses how the USA and its European allies may continue to shape security governance in a world in which non-Western powers are on the rise.