It’s Not Venus, but Minerva: The European Quest for Relevance vis-à-vis the China Challenge

Abstract

n a world driven by US-China competition, American IR literature is disregarding the EU, presenting the struggle in terms of a bipolar zero-sum game and pure military conflict. Using Schweller’s terminology, this vision of the hegemonic struggle is urging the EU to adopt a bandwagon position, backing the status-quo “lion” US when facing revisionist “wolf” China. This paper contests this bipolar narrative to introduce the most interesting option for the EU: becoming the balancer. Using the concept of strategic autonomy, this paper argues the EU should overcome internal and external barriers to pursue her own agenda in global affairs. In this context, the China challenge offers an incomparable opportunity for the EU to hold the balance in three areas: economics, security affairs, and the system of values. Embracing this leadership role, the EU would regain her geopolitical relevance, resisting the shakings of American decline, and proving, in global affairs, Minerva’s wisdom and strategy are the most precious gifts to hold.