« E.U-U.S RELATIONS IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD: COMPETITION AND COOPERATION »

 

 

DOSSIER AUDIT    by Ronny KTORZA and Alexandre SANTERIAN

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

We have chosen to audit the research dossier written by Stéphanie BIASOLI and Emmanuelle LEGEAI, called “E.U-U.S Relations in a globalizing world: competition and cooperation” because it has concerned a recurrent topic for two years and the Iraqi war which has made the relations complex between the two blocs (even if, all things considered, the European countries, in favor of war, were in majority).

We used the verb “to complex” to well characterize these ambiguous ties. Behind these “false declarations of friendship”, an ancestral rivalry is hidden.

Stéphanie BIASOLI and Emmanuelle LEGEAI’s research dossier has attempted to enlighten us on this controversial debate. 

 

1- COMPLETE INVENTORY

 

1.1-FORM/TREE STRUCTURE

 

The dossier begins by quite a detailed summary: we can establish a division into two parts.

In the first part, the authors analyze the bonds which have united the two blocs even when, in the second part, they stress the divergences between them

This research dossier is also axed round 2 big parts: the ties between the two blocs and their divergences.

Each part is divided into several texts.

For instance, Stéphanie and Emmanuelle took an interest in New Transatlantic Agenda and the “war” which has opposed these two centers of economic growth through their two airframe manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing.

Each text has its own glossary in addition to “links” and “journalistic bibliography”.

 

1.1.3-balance/diversity

 

This research dossier is not so attractive but it is has the merit of being clear.

 

1.2-CONTENTS

 

 

Introduction

 

 

Part I. The transatlantic relations: an overview

 
Text 1: Transatlantic declaration on EC-US relations

November 23rd, 1990, EU-US Summit, London.

http://europa.eu.int/en/agenda/eu-us/index.html

 

Text 2: The New Transatlantic Agenda

EU-US Summit, Madrid December 3rd, 1995

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/us/new_transatlantic_agenda/text.htm

 

Text 3: EU Relations with the United States

EU Guide For Americans, Chapter 5

www.eurunion.org/infores/euguide/Chapter5.htm

 

Text 4: Fact Sheet: Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/business_dialogues/tabd/tabd_fact_sheet_20030618.pdf

 

 

 

Part II. The US-EU relations today: an ever-increasing rivalry?

 

Text 5: Airbus and Boeing pose huge test for EU-US relations

Financial Times, October 7th 2004.

 

Text 6: Record £331m fine for Microsoft

The Guardian, March 24th, 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/microsoft/Story/0%2C2763%2C1176794%2C00.html

 

Text 7: Analysis: EU-US cooperation against terror

Washington Times, September 14th, 2004

 http://washnigtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040914-092003-3327r.htm

 

Text 8:saying US approach to Syria isn’t working, EU seeks cooperation

International Herald Tribune, October 10th, 2003

 

Text 9:EU’s Solana to press Iran on nuclear arm

International Herald Tribune, January 9th 2004

 

Text 10:Anger at US climate retreat

BBC News, March 29th 2001

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1248278.stm

 

Text 11: Analysis: EU/US Clash over death penalty

http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3.asp?DOCID=1P1:85574001&num=1&ctrlInfo=Round9b%3AProd%3ASR%3AResult&ao

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Text 12:EU, congratulating Bush, hopes for new transatlantic page

www.highbeam.com

 

 

Glossary

 

Useful Links

 

 

 

 

1.2.1-Quantity

 

This research dossier has a really good contents with texts in English and also in French.

In all, twelve texts and annexes.

 

1.2.2-Quality

 

This research dossier is really clear.

The choice of the bi-part vision is very welcome. The language used is proper to a practical exercise of the European institutions or of good  European policies commentators.

 

1.2.3-Source analysis

 

No surprise about this!

Sources are various and interesting. The annexes are a plus point.

 

1.3-FORM/TEXT CONGRUENCY

 

With it’s simplistic form, the research dossier is easy reading.

This research dossier is functionally well made. There are many profitable, useful links and good glossaries for each text.

 

2-CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

1.4-FORM

 

1.4.1-Positive points

 

The research dossier is divided into two simple parts:

                     The ties between the two blocs

Their divergences

The preceding auditors thought that this division was open to criticism, which isn’t our case:

On the contrary, we believe that simplicity is the best asset of an exercise like a research dossier.

The subdivision into themes is also pleasant and we have appreciated the presence of a glossary and such abundant translations, which well illustrate the seriousness of the authors.

 

1.4.2-negative points

 

It’s very difficult to criticize the form of this research dossier. We can barely regret the lack of a page numbering.

Although we can perhaps regret a too scholar but clear direction of this presentation.

 

1.5-CONTENTS

 

1.5.1-positive points

 

We have appreciated the authors’ neutralism, maybe due to the fact that Stéphanie BIASOLI holds American nationality, because the medias and public opinion in Europe are inclined to regard the United States of America as a displeasing political and cultural interlocutor (Ronny prefers to say “Axis of Evil»), not caring a damn about poverty and environmental problems, above all.

No interpretative value judgment was expressed.

We are grateful to them for having recalled the historic connivances between the USA and the European Union, forgotten by some people.

They have used an interesting example “the New Transatlantic Partnership” because it marked a sort of a height in the relations between the two blocs.

In reverse order, Stéphanie and Emmanuelle were interested in the main object of discord : “Airbus-Boeing”, the Iraq war, the Iranian question; which have embittered these relations.

 

 

 

1.5.2-Negative points

 

There are more of them.

At first, it is regrettable that the authors haven’t called to mind the failure of the NPA which should have allowed the creation of a vast transatlantic free trade area.

(I’m more skeptical about this, Alexandre )

But, above all, the lack between the EU memberships struck us with amazement. There are also two blocs in Europe.

Stéphanie and Emmanuelle could have mentioned the friendships and the bonds maintained by the USA with some European states: For example, France will never have with the UK as much complicity as the UK has with the USA.

 

 

3-VERDICT

 

This research dossier is a good one !

The authors have chosen a complex and controversial subject,  the negative points are weak and can't be opposed for all the tea in china to the positive points.

It's a good work, made with serious minded-ness.

 

4-PERSONAL STATEMENT/ UPDATING

 

We regret the lack of a real opening conclusion, which could have referred to the future prospects concerning the relations between the EU and the USA.

Of course, the research dossier has been written in 2004 and, since then, things have a little bit changed:

For example, the nomination of Angela MERKEL in Germany, the rejection of the European constitutional treaty by France and Netherlands

The future enlargement of Europe to Romania, Bulgaria and perhaps Turkey may entail consequences.

From a liberal point of view, J.CHIRAC is more and more isolated, and the “France-German axis” is on the point of becoming extinct, expecting, kike this the reviving of the cooperation between the USA and the UE supported by United Kingdom;

From a point of view of partisans of a political and social Europe, future elections will be crucial to obtain a good majority to negotiate.