The Potential for An Independent, Unified EU Military Force

Absztrakt (kivonat)

For more than six decades, Europe has undergone significant transformation, particularly in the realms of economic and monetary policy. Following this trend, political union and security cooperation have become reality, and since the end of the Second World War the nascent European Union, albeit comprised by various members and called different names, began to emerge as the world’s largest economic power and a heavy hitter in establishing foreign policy from environmental law to trade. Militarily, however, the path seems less defined. Europe has lurched towards stronger defense cooperation over the years, yet it has not taken the last vital steps to establishing a unified military structure that comprises a single chain of command, decentralized execution, and the ability to affect rapid combat deployment. Perhaps, in an ever-changing global security landscape and shifting balance of power, the time has come for Europe to attempt this next step towards an ever closer integration: a unified military force. Naturally, many challenges will arise which may serve to complicate such an audacious move, and this thesis will examine the why and how in establishing an EU military.