Western European Union
Subtitle: international politics between alliance and integration
By: Sally Rohan
Series: British politics and society -- 30; British politics and society -- 30.
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2014
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 407
ISBN-13: 9781306973250
Subjects: National security; Western European Union; European Union; North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Description: "This full-term study of the Western European Union (WEU) brings to life the history of Europe's search for a co-operative security and defence order, from its post World War II origins to the present day. Establishing the WEU as a support organization, designed to promote the two security 'ideas' of collective defence and integration through the primary organizations of Alliance and Community, this book offers a window onto the challenges faced in the development and management of NATO and the evolving EC/EU over time. As the WEU's historical journey unfolds, the frequently competing visions of the future organization of the European security space are exposed in the fluctuating nature of its own functional evolution and devolution. A hybrid organization driven by its dual support role, the constructively ambiguous and conveniently autonomous WEU was to provide a mechanism through which divergent interests could converge and inherent tensions be relieved, preventing NATO and EC/EU stagnation. This book offers fresh insight into the means by which the gradual transformation of the institutional framework of European security was enabled, and stakes the WEU's claim as a fundamental and life-long contributor to the stability of the European security system."
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Birth of the Union : 1945-1955; title: From activity to dormancy : 1955-1973; title: The path to revitalization : 1973-1989; title: Post-Cold War challenges and opportunities : 1989-1997; title: The final compromise : 1997-2011; title: Conclusions.