· D) Europe
as a new leader
As anti-Americanism is developing all around the World, it
triggers the question about a possible substitute :
Europe ?
Europeans have long aspired to end America's dominance as the
World's economic leader. The single market and the Euro are widely seen as
essential steps in this direction. But, is Europe ready to lead ?
The European Union will grow from 15 nations to 25, and is likely
to be titular of 485 millions of citizens and the Euro will probably continue
strengthening against the dollar. If international investors lose confidence in
the USA economy, fewer people will want to hold dollar assets. Europe seems to
have many assets to lead . Moreover, it will be easy to get the World
agreement, regarding the anti-American campaign.
However, despite this anti-Americanism movement in the World, the
USA are still at the center of the World and will remain at his place. Nothing
can move without the USA. As expected, if the Euro continue to encrease, and
the dollar to fall what is going to happen ? Europe export to the USA will
fall resulting a trade deficit for the European Union, while there will be a
surge of import from the USA, and the European companies will see their US
profit erode.
Similarly, the questions remains whether Europeans are ready to
assume responsibilities for the success of the organization like the World
Trade Organization. Once again the answer is no. Europe is not economically
strong enough. The richest countries of the community have to support the
poorest. The enlarge of Europe has been a big mistake. Europe is larger but not
richer. Moreover, too many European leaders have not yet grasped, the basic
secret of leadership. The defect of Europe is its military strike force. Europe
spends only $140 billion, compared with America's $347 billion. The US spend
almost $30.000 per soldier on R and D, while Europe spends $4.000. September
11th , has not even urged a large increase in defense spending.
Compared with the USA, Europe is second class-power. Europe need to develop a
significant strike force, one that can fight with or without American troops.
It would give it a stronger voice in the Alliance. Besides all that, war issue
in Iraq has divided Europe.
Europe would have been a better leader, because it ought to be
less wasteful of energy, less predatory toward environment, more concerned with
social cohesion, and the safety net of society45(*). America remains all the same the sole credible
leader.
As the USA have distorted the United nations with their
intervention in Iraq, no one can fully know, what international order Bush
sought to create.
* 45 Tony Blair, TIME,
December 10, 2001 « The world community should tackle poverty,
global warning, enter-faith understanding, peace between Israelis and
Palestinians and many other ambitious reforms. I believe we should do it
because I believe it is important »
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