Introduction: From Unipolarity to a Post-American World
For much of the late 20th century, the global order appeared straightforward. During the Cold War, the international system was defined by bipolarity: the U.S.-led Western bloc, the Soviet-led Eastern bloc, and a loosely organized Non-Aligned Movement. The collapse of the Soviet Union blurred these distinctions and paved the way for a U.S.-dominated neoliberal order. This era was often described as unipolar, with the United States emerging as the world’s undisputed hegemon.
Some scholars even proclaimed the “end of history,” arguing that liberal democracy had triumphed permanently and faced no ideological rivals. However, this assumption proved premature. The global financial crisis of 2008 marked a turning point, exposing structural weaknesses in neoliberalism and signaling the gradual decline of U.S. relative power. This shift ushered in what is now commonly referred to as the post-American world—a term popularized by Fareed Zakaria.
The Crisis of U.S. Leadership After 2008
The early 2000s were already marked by instability. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States invoked NATO’s Article 5 and launched military operations in Afghanistan. However, the subsequent adoption of a preemptive war doctrine—most visibly applied during the 2003 invasion of Iraq—created deep rifts between the U.S. and its European allies, particularly France and Germany.
The formation of a “coalition of the willing” signaled a shift toward unilateralism in U.S. foreign policy. This approach weakened transatlantic trust and revived long-standing American tendencies toward isolationism—an idea deeply rooted in U.S. political history, dating back to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823.
Historically, American disengagement from global affairs has had destabilizing consequences. U.S. isolationism during the interwar period, combined with the failure of the League of Nations, emboldened aggressive powers and contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Today, declining U.S. influence once again raises concerns about global instability, particularly in fragile regions such as Ukraine and Gaza.
Europe’s Position After U.S. Dominance
As the U.S.-led order weakens, the European Union faces both risks and opportunities. Since its origins as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the EU has played a central role in shaping international politics. During the Cold War, Europe was one of the major power centers alongside the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
The 1970s détente period and initiatives like the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (later the OSCE) strengthened Europe’s diplomatic influence. Concepts such as Mikhail Gorbachev’s “Common European Home” further reinforced Europe’s vision of cooperative security and multilateralism.
However, Europe’s reliance on U.S. security guarantees—particularly through NATO—has limited its strategic autonomy. The resurgence of isolationist rhetoric in U.S. politics, especially under President Donald Trump, has revived European debates about defense independence, economic sovereignty, and geopolitical responsibility.
Multipolarity, BRICS, and the Challenge to Neoliberalism
The 2008 financial crisis also accelerated the rise of alternative power centers. Emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil, and Türkiye began challenging Western dominance, both economically and ideologically. The success of China’s state-led development model demonstrated that liberal democracy is not a prerequisite for economic growth.
In this context, platforms like BRICS emerged as alternatives to Western-dominated institutions. These groupings offer non-Western states new avenues for cooperation, signaling a broader shift toward multipolarity.
Conclusion: The EU’s Strategic Crossroads
In the post-American world, the European Union stands at a crossroads. As U.S. hegemony declines and global power becomes more dispersed, Europe must redefine its role. Strengthening strategic autonomy, investing in collective defense, and reaffirming commitment to multilateralism will be essential if the EU is to remain a relevant and stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented international order.
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