The transatlantic relationship, a cornerstone of the liberal global order, has entered a new phase in response to recent geopolitical challenges. The Russia-Ukraine war triggered a burst of solidarity across the Atlantic, reactivating NATO under the pressure of external threats. Yet, while Western nations came together to address immediate security concerns, deeper questions remain about the coherence and the future of this partnership. Is the transatlantic relationship robust enough to navigate the shifting global order? How should we understand the evolving dynamics between the United States and Europe in the face of divergent interests and strategies?
This mini-symposium invites scholars to explore the many dimensions of the transatlantic relationship in the 21st century, focusing on its political, economic, security, legal and public attitudes aspects. We seek contributions that critically assess the status of transatlantic cooperation, the origins of challenges for cooperation and the impact of recent policies and events on the structure of coordination across the Atlantic. What are the key factors and conditions that determine the strength and weaknesses of this partnership?
This is an initiative of the Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute. Submission guidelines are available at the end of this call.
Key Themes and Proposed Questions for Discussion
1. Security and Defense
- How has the Russia-Ukraine war reshaped NATO’s strategic vision and unity? What are the long-term implications for transatlantic defense collaboration?
- What role should the U.S. and Europe play in deterring future threats from authoritarian regimes, particularly in regions like Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific?
- Are there divergent views on the future of nuclear deterrence, defense spending, and NATO’s scope of action?
2. Economic Coordination
- How have transatlantic economic strategies evolved in response to global crises, from the pandemic to the Russia-Ukraine War, to the war in the Middle East? Is there coherence in sanctions policy and economic responses to global disruptions?
- Can the U.S. and Europe maintain a united front on trade and economic policies, or will competing domestic agendas and differing industrial priorities drive them apart? What is the role of economic cooperation with China in the construction of this partnership?
- How are emerging issues, such as digital regulation, green energy transition, and supply chain resilience, affecting the economic relationship?
3. Democracy and Human Rights
- What role do the U.S. and Europe envision for themselves in promoting democracy and human rights globally? Are these efforts aligned or are different priorities emerging?
- How can the transatlantic relationship reconcile varying approaches to authoritarianism, particularly when strategic interests (e.g., relations with China or Russia) diverge?
- Is there a shared commitment to the rule of law, media freedom, and civil rights, or are internal democratic challenges within Western nations eroding this foundation?
4. Geopolitical Competition and Alliances
- How is the transatlantic partnership managing the rise of China and the complexities of a multipolar world? Are there signs of growing divergence in U.S. and European policies toward Beijing?
- Can transatlantic allies strike a balance between regional security commitments (e.g., in Europe) and global security demands (e.g., in the Indo-Pacific)?
- What new partnerships or alliances are needed to strengthen the transatlantic order in this era of geopolitical competition?
5. Public Opinion and Attitudes
- How do public attitudes on both sides of the Atlantic shape the policies and future of the relationship? Are there growing ideological gaps between American and European societies?
- How has media and political discourse about transatlantic relations evolved in recent years, and what impact does it have on policy formation?
- To what extent can shared values around democracy, human rights, and the rule of law continue to serve as the backbone of the transatlantic relationship in an era of rising populism and nationalism?
Submission Guidelines
The mini-symposium is an initiative of the Robert Schuman Center at the European University Institute. We invite proposals for papers, panels, and roundtable discussions. Submissions should be grounded in empirical research or offer theoretical insights that advance our understanding of the transatlantic relationship.
- Abstracts (up to 250 words) should clearly outline the main argument, methodology, and relevance to the symposium’s themes.
- Please submit your proposals via our online application form by November 5, 2024.
- Notifications of acceptance will be sent by November 6, 2024. We will be submitting the papers selected for you as part of fully formed panels for CES. Papers that have not been selected for this series of panels can be individually submitted before the CES deadline.
- CES will send out acceptance notifications by January 31, 2025.
We welcome contributions from a range of disciplines, including political science, international relations, economics, history, sociology, and law.
For further inquiries, please contact veronica.anghel@eui.eu or erik.jones@eui.eu
