Western Europe and the United States

In this study of European American relations, originally published in 1984, the author demonstrates that many of the contentious issues of the 1980s have their origins in the roots of the 'Atlantic partnership' which emerged during the 1950s. The book undertakes two tasks which are essential to an understanding of European American relations. Firstly, it reviews the elements of continuity and change which have characterised transatlantic dealings since 1945, and the complexities which have baffled both academic analysts and policy makers. Secondly, it dissects the central parts of the relationship in order to isolate and highlight some of the most significant developmental factors. In doing so, it explores the many levels on which European American relations can be identified - as part of a global system, as a regional or Atlantic phenomenon, or even as part of the domestic politics of the countries involved. It also draws attention to the key issues around which European American links revolve - the problems of the Atlantic alliance, the development of economic issues and the conflicts of ideas. Finally, the book looks at the ways in which European American relations are conducted - the channels of influence which have at various times expressed US dominance and European recovery, 'special relationships' and strained relationships. This will be of interest both to the student looking for a concise introduction to the major issues in European American relations and to the non-specialist with an interest international developments.

Michael Smith is Honorary Professor in European Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies, Warwick University, UK, and Emeritus Professor of European Politics at Loughborough University. Previously, he was Professor of European Politics and Jean Monnet Chair at Loughborough University, where he also was Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of International Governance and of a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and Professor in European Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies, Warwick University. He has published extensively on EU external policies and on EU diplomacy, on the EU and world order, on EU-US relations and on EU-Asia relations. He is a past Chair of the University Association for Contemporary European Studies and the Standing Conference of Heads of European Studies, and in 2010 received the UACES award for Lifetime Achievement in European Studies. Among his major books are: The European Union's Roles in International Politics: Frameworks and Analysis (edited with Ole Elgström) (Routledge, 2006); The European Union and the United States: Competition and Convergence in the Global Arena (co-authored with Steven McGuire, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2008); Perceptions and Policy in Transatlantic Relations; prospective views from the United States and Europe (coedited with Natividad Fernandez Sola, Routledge, 2009); The Diplomatic System of the European Union: Evolution, Change and Challenges (co-edited with Sophie Vanhoonacker and Stephan Keukeleire, Routledge, 2016); International Relations and the European Union (coedited with Christopher Hill and Sophie Vanhoonacker, Oxford University Press, fourth edition 2023; and The European Union's Strategic Partnerships: global diplomacy in a contested world (edited with Laura C. Ferreira-Pereira, Palgrave Macmillan 2021). Most recently, he has published a new edition of his 2008 co-authored book on the EU and the US: The EU and the United States: Competition, Convergence and Crisis in the Global Arena (co-authored with Terrence Guay and Jost Morgenstern-Pomorski), Bloomsbury Academic 2025. He has also edited special issues of the Journal of Common Market Studies and the Journal of European Public Policy as well as contributing articles to those and to a wide range of other leading journals.

Part 1: An Uncertain Alliance 1. Continuity and Change in European American Relations 2. Interpreting European American Relations: Political and Academic Puzzles Part 2: The Architecture of Uncertainty 3. Settings: The Environment of European American Relations 4. Issues: The Substance of European American Relations 5. Processes: The Conduct of European American Relations. Conclusions.