The Peculiarities of the International subjectivity of the European Union: A Place in the Postbipolar Order

Abstract

This article is an attempt to research peculiarities of the international subjectivity of the EU in the postbipolar world order. It is proved that despite the crisis phenomena, modern challenges and threats, the European Union will continue exist as a subject of international relations. According to the theoretical approach of international cooperation, we could observe the effect of Lindbergh's “chain reaction”, when cooperation in one or another area (economic as in ECSC, cultural, social) leads to interaction in others. These circumstances led to necessity to create special supranational institutions that coordinate further integration. Success of the EU has proved the theoretical validity of the main postulates of functionalism and neofunctionalism. The political essence of the European Union today is derived from common values (philosophy of liberalism) and utilitarian interests. Common liberal values that create the possibility of the consolidation of states and became a cornerstone in the foundation of the subject and pragmatic mutually beneficial relations. These smart combination of two main aspects exist and work for more than 70 years in European Union. Other important conclusion is that in the circumstances, when the world returns to the power game of the great powers the EU is unable to compete with the “great powers” in terms of military power and political influence. Leveling the absence of this component is currently impossible by economic or political powers. Nevertheless, the potential of the union remains predictively large. Further integration and strengthening of the subjectivity of the EU is possible in case of creation its own armed forces, further cooperation within the framework of PESCO and the immanent awareness of the need to respond to external threats together. These actions will increase the defense capability of the EU and give more power to political union as a decision-making center.