Customer Reviews

The Next Superpower?: The Rise of Europe and Its Challenge to the United States

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As a US student in global political affairs in Washington, DC, I have spent many hours debating what it means to be considered a "superpower," who rivals the US for the title, and who is essentially the next "superpower." Rockwell Schnabel and Francis X. Rocca's well-researched book sheds light on the existing power dynamics of modern Europe and the EU in global society and what implications this 25 member state holds for our future. With its ever-impressive economic strengths coupled with its cultural and institutional influences, they believe the European Union should be viewed as a force to be reckoned with, but more importantly as a strong ally. Rockwell Schnabel draws from his experiences as a native European citizen and former ambassador to the EU to highlight crucial choices the EU must make if it is to become geopolitically stronger and, in fact, be the next superpower. Long- term decisions regarding a free market economy and Europe's stance towards the US will not only have direct impacts on American businesses, but also on global security. Considering the rising power of nations like China and India, transatlantic cooperation provides an opportunity to unite to achieve our common goals. By pooling vast resources together, the US and EU can have real effects on world hunger, poverty, and disease.
The Next Superpower? unites theoretical concepts with observations to provide insightful, yet critical analysis of global affairs from a US/EU perspective. It is a must read for every student of politics, economics, or business who cares about the future of the US, Europe, and the world.

In 2001, $300 billion market-cap Connecticut-based General Electric was moving toward closing a $42 billion deal to acquire New Jersey-based Honeywell. The executives, directors, and shareholders of each company had tendered their approval, as had the regulatory authorities in the United States. But some 3,500 miles away, European bureaucrats sitting in Brussels had other ideas. The threat to the international aerospace industry, they said, was just too great to risk letting these U.S. based companies combine as they had already agreed. And that's where the deal stopped.

Rockwell Schnabel-until a few months ago U.S. Ambassador to the European Union-essentially put U.S. business interests on notice that, like it or not, this is the new reality, and understanding the construct within which European commerce now takes place is critical to success in that very large market. The Next Superpower? is a brief yet highly insightful book that will serve as an indispensable primer to every American businessman trying to comprehend and penetrate the increasingly formidable market that is the European Union. In 188 pages, Schnabel, together with co-author Francis Rocca, takes the reader from the history and economic theories behind the formation of the EU, to what is essentially a How-To guide through its institutions, and those of its member states.

Those looking for an ideologically-charged paper in the vein of either Robert Kagan ("Of Paradise and Power"), or, conversely, Joseph Nye ("The Paradox of American Power"), will be disappointed. While the Ambassador clearly has a firm grasp on these competing views, this is a book that is about the practical realities of getting things done. The comparison, for instance, of the opposing dirigiste tradition of socialist France and the (classical) liberalism of Adam Smith, while worthwhile topics unto themselves, are clearly addressed with the purpose of giving the businessman, politician, and diplomat an historical and cultural framework as they move down what is an irreversible path toward free markets and capitalism in its highest form.

Schnabel, himself raised in the Netherlands-not exactly a hotbed of American-style conservatism-and clearly an admirer of much of the European tradition, has very much perfected the American way of doing business and getting things done. His career path apparently took him from young immigrant, to investment banker, to the Reagan and George H.W. Bush Administrations, to technology fund principal (starting in 1993...not bad timing) and back to public service as EU Ambassador. It would seem that the "revolving door" between public and private sector has, in this case anyway, served the U.S. very well indeed.

I just finished reading Amabassador Schnabel's excellent book and realize how little I understood or knew about the EU. Many of us have been a bit overwhelmed by all the China and India growth stories; as a result, I for one, have totally missed the boat on what's happening in Europe. If I had a choice of where to spend the next 20 years in business, I would clearly choose the European Union (even after reading The World is Flat while on a trip to India). Because the US and the EU have "common values" and huge economic power, we together have the opportunity to "shape the world" in the next two decades. After that, we will be forced to share this power with the emerging Asian giants.

I have given the book to my college son to increase his awareness of the EU and its importance to the United States, up to now it's been all China. I think his views may change after reading this book, besides, Europe is a great place for kids his age!!!!

Highly recommended reading and much easier to consume than certain other "World......" books.

Interesting and presented in a concise way book. I decided to give a bit more provocative and not a review that will just retell what's in the book. I bought it as I am interested in the topic having worked for the EU at some moments and having generally good knowledge about the EU and how it functions. The book is diplomatically written (by a diplomat) so do it focuses on many topics but do not always expect to find the bare truth behind facts. Instead their "diplomatic package" is presented. Certain statements are definitely something that I cannot agree. According to Schnabel - the "dirigiste" regime (of the EU), means higher prices and fewer choices for companies and consumers at home (p 37). Higher prices - maybe? What about higher product quality that regulations impose?

I happen to live in the USA at the moment and I am permanently shocked by some facts such as the quality of many products/services people buy - from transportation to food quality in the supermarket. (for example I'd say there're 3 types of chicken in the USA - tasteless, more tasteless and most tasteless). Conductor and train driver are communicating by waiving hats on the Long Island Rail Road. Examples are many but that's not the point here.

Somebody probably knows what compositions Americans eat in all the produce and generally food but it's not the consumers, that's for sure. US citizens must become aware that EU regulations actually may have a positive effect even on the quality of products they buy. In the US as it seems the quantity is more important. Recently the US declared that it will continue use a world-wide banned pesticide (methyl bromide) because its farmers "need it".

Would Ronald McDonald have stopped offering plastic toys with unsafe chemicals for children with Happy Meals if the European Commission didn't rule that they are unsafe? (Page 27). Why the Federal Food and Drug Administration didn't do this?

Schnabel says that instead of regulation "we Americans prefer to trash things in court". My question is whether this happens before or AFTER somebody gets a stroke or possibly dies of Merck's Vioxx pill, for example?

Nonetheless, Schnabel misses some facts such as the one then the EU started to make an army of its own that the US actually has warned the EU not to create its own army - something like "we will protect you as in the Cold War era (or maybe not protect but control?)".

Instead throughout the book Schnabel argues that US and EU share "common values" and should work together for shaping world policies. For me all these statements of "common values" are a way too diplomatic and are proven a way too little by the politics of the two big block as of late 90s. Certainly they have their place in main stream media and in diplomatic books. However which are the "common values" of today's EU and US? The capital punishment? Or anything that harms business like CO2 emissions reduction? Consumer protection? The health care? Did I hear "our (American) health care system is the best in world", again? Think twice and research, research.

Finally, overall a good book - in terms of diplomacy style and the concise way it is written.