The Transatlantic Globalisation Dilemma: How to Retain Power, While Contesting the Principles?

The Transatlantic Alliance has played a key role in establishing a world order based on the principles of integrated markets and the free flows of people, goods and money. Now, the long movement towards market liberalisation has stopped, borders are being fortified, national sentiments are on the rise, and globalisation is commonly contested in the political debate in both Europe and the United States. The position of the transatlantic actors was historically founded on the successful implementation of the global framework, so the question arises whether the retreat from globalisation will end their pre-eminence in global affairs. This article sheds light on the recent political and social changes in Europe and in the United States, which have been wavering between partnership and rivalry as they are confronted with global issues beyond their bilateral agendas. (original abstract)