America's Perceptions of Europe

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. The Global Engine That Keeps on Going, and Going, and Going

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 1-8

3. Misperceptions, Myths, and Justifications Explained

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 9-23

4. Simplifying the Confusing: The “Short-Short” of Europe and the European Union

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 25-33

5. Attractive, Determined, and Competitive: Socialism Has Ceased to Be

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 35-59

6. High-Tech Gizmos, Web-Surfing, Cells, and Not-So Green Power

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 61-72

7. The Things We Want in Life: Health, Security, Work, Culture, and Quality

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 73-118

8. Europe’s Global Tentacles Reach You Everywhere: Trade, Law, Business, Armaments, and Military Operations

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 119-139

9. Kant and Uncle Sam: Competition, Coordination, and Cooperation

   • Leif Johan Eliasson

   Pages 141-157

10. Back Matter

    Pages 159-219

    PDF

This book seeks to rectify Americans' views of its closest ally, Europe - an ambitious task, but one sorely lacking in the literature. Many prejudices about Europe surface in headlines, while others remain latent, but they are real, pervasive and ingrained.

• Europe
• European Union
• European Union (EU)
• socialism
• work
• european union politics

"This very readable book provides a needed supplement to any introductory international relations course, and will find a thankful audience among both students and others interested in world affairs but put off by overly theoretical and abstract writing. Professor Eliasson explains clearly the importance of US-European relations to Americans while debunking myths, misperceptions, and outright errors commonly held by Americans about Europe, its people and institutions. Professor Eliasson shares with the reader his expertise as a foreign policy scholar as well as personal insights and experiences developed as a European and US citizen. His well researched book is supported with data and useful tables. He identifies US-European differences, similarities, complementariness, and competition. He argues that as both Europeans and Americans have changed, their interdependencies and need for each other politically and economically have grown. He urges the reader to consider that while China, India, Brazil and other developing nations have increasingly important international roles, the United States and Europe will continue to be dynamic engines of global economic growth and political stability upon which others depend." - Wayne R. Martin, Professor, Department of Political Science, California State University, Dominguez Hills

"Professor Leif Johan Eliasson s book American Perceptions of Europe is a welcome addition to the public policy debate on transatlantic relations after Iraq. Eliasson delivers a provocative and empirically-supported argument for what Europe is - and is not - that is accessible to lay readers and specialists alike. The book serves as a useful corrective to the most blatant pundit outbursts and helps to narrow the gap between the perception and reality of contemporary Europe. As the United States seeks partners in addressing important global challenges, it needs an accurate portrait of Europe. Professor Eliasson s book provides just that." - David Armitage, Jr., American University, author of Enduring Dilemmas in Transatlantic Relations

LEIF JOHAN ELIASSON is Assistant Professor at East Stroudsburg University, USA.

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