Facing the American "Pivot" to Asia

EU's Role in the Power-Balancing Game in Eastand Southeast Asia from a Neorealist Perspective

Authors

  • Dominika Proszowska Uniwersytet Jagielloński

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12797/Poliarchia.04.2016.06.03

Keywords:

neorealism, EU-Asia relations, EU security and foreign policy, pivot to Asia, balance of power

Abstract

The rise of China and the “pivot” to Asia announced by the US pose new geopolitical challenges that should be recognized and properly addressed by the European Union. Adapting elements of the neorealist perspective on international relations, this article intends to briefly analyse current and possible role for the EU in the Asian power-balancing game. It also examines the capabilities, interests and deficiencies of the EU as a security actor in the Asia Pacific, and investigates whether the EU’s capacities are enough to potentially counterbalance other powers in Asia. Even though there are numerous shortages to the EU’s “actorness” and capability to act, it is still the biggest economy in the world, which can be successfully translated into leverage while counterbalancing other powers. Also, developed expertise in non-traditional security matters as well as recent institutional developments provide for the EU’s stronger international presence and growing power capacity. However, this potential needs to be well managed. The EU suffers from leadership deficiency and lacks a strong, coherent strategy towards Asia that could match the one of the United States. Such strategy is essential for the EU’s security and economic prosperity given growing interdependence between Asian Pacific and European economies as well as increasing role of the Asian powers in global affairs. Especially the rapid growth of China brings several implications not only for the general world order, but also for the EU’s position in its hierarchy. Often the power -balancing game in Asia Pacific is depicted as centring around the US -China rivalry for influence. Having in mind that the US is one of the key players in the region, also the EU-US partnership needs a new, Asian dimension which could determine the further role of the transatlantic alliance in a changing security environment. Finally, all comes down to a question not only about the EU’s capacity and willingness to become a global power; but also about if it can afford not to become one.

Author Biography

Dominika Proszowska, Uniwersytet Jagielloński

An MA student of the EU-Japan Advanced Multidisciplinary Master Studies, a double degree program held by two partner univer - sities: Jagiellonian University (Centre for European Studies, MA in European Studies) and Kobe University (Graduate School of Law, MA in Political Science). An award winner of a competition for the best bachelor’s thesis dealing with the political and socio -economic issues of the Central and Eastern Europe. A scholarship holder of the EU-JAMM project, the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, as well as of the Debica Business Club. The range of interests includes the foreign and security policy of the EU, the EU-Asia relations, the position of the EU in the international relations, and the application of the EU integration theories.

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Published

2016-06-30

How to Cite

Proszowska, Dominika. 2016. “Facing the American ‘Pivot’ to Asia: EU’s Role in the Power-Balancing Game in Eastand Southeast Asia from a Neorealist Perspective”. Poliarchia 4 (6):53-72. https://doi.org/10.12797/Poliarchia.04.2016.06.03.

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Section

Stosunki międzynarodowe i geopolityka