Reflection #5

Our visit this week to the EU delegation struck a particular chord with me because Dr. Deak's remarks seemed so at odds with our discussions in class recently. I hope it is safe to claim that we all recognize the world as an interdependent system of nations and peoples. Our dialogues in world politics increasingly mention the economic, political, and cultural ties that inherently bind all parts of the world. This change in dynamic is due to numerous factors: globalization, technology, public policy, war, etc. However, during Dr. Deak's presentation on Wednesday, he continually referred to the EU as a separate, superior, optimal-functioning collection of European nations, which it arguably is. However, it was his lacking mention of the EU within the global community that upset me. Naturally, Dr. Deak exhibited a certain level of pride in the European Union and its various accomplishments, tenets, and appendages. Yet it seemed to me that our conversation perpetually stayed within the bounds of the EU as a physical entity. Dr. Deak discussed how the various member nations of the European Union interact with one another, particularly in terms of additions (Turkey). While I was interested in learning about the internal dynamic of the EU, I would have been even more fascinated to hear how the EU functions within the international sector, especially compared to the roles of individual nation-states. My problem with Dr. Deak's presentation was his inability to address the EU's influence outside the confines of Europe (because it does play an intrinsic part). His incapacity to articulate the European Union's international impact parallels the uncertainty that is felt throughout the world system because of the EU's presence. As Chris mentions in his reflection, nowhere in the world is there an overarching assemblage of an entire region, except in Europe. It is my belief that the United States, the rest of the world, and perhaps the European Union itself, are still unsure of how to incorporate and utilize this organization in the global forum.