Transatlantic Relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Transatlantic Relationship - Essay Example They are characterized, by an extremely high level of integration and interdependence especially in the fields of economy, political-military and cultural; while on the other hand, by numerous tensions and confrontations weakening the validity of the transatlantic partnership. The success of the transatlantic relationship is based on the background of common values that has braced both Europe and America, therefore creating an identity of values that finds its roots in the ideas of the Enlightenment which encompass the centrality of freedom, democracy, and reason as primary values of the society. These principles represent a constant in the transatlantic expression and have stimulated any transatlantic joint action intended to defend and export them. One of the first documents that contributed to the establishment of a common transatlantic consciousness that have referred to these principles is The Atlantic Charter, signed on 14 August, 1941. This Charter set forth the joint declaration of their peace aims calling for the self-determination of all peoples and self-government and sovereign rights for all nations that had been deprived of them. Beyond the continent of Europe, the colonial system had to be dismantled and the promise of self-determination enshrined in the Atlantic Charter applied on a global scale. Another significant document containing transatlantic values and seeking to universalize them is the Charter of the United Nations which was signed on 26 June 1945. The preamble of the Charter reaffirms the need to promote peace, fundamental human rights, freedom, social and economic profess, and international law. The United States and the United Kingdom became the two of the naissance members of the United Nations, as well as two of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The end of the Cold War offered the impulse for strengthening and deepening the transatlantic relations. The values become Western and constantly relate themselves in opposition to any communist beliefs. So, the Cold War can be seen, not simply as a political-military confrontation between two powerful influences, but also as an ideology of altercation between two opposing systems of values. The Soviet's threat determined the institutionalization of the transatlantic alliance through the formation of the NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty brought NATO to existence to where the organization comprises a system of defense to where all member countries agree to offer defense in response to an attack by an external entity. NATO assured the lasting relationship of Euro-Atlantic area security, but marked the European security defense reliance towards the American military and logistic capabilities. The end of the Soviet Union and the bipolar system marked the commencement of the new era in th e international relations, and for the transatlantic relationship, in particular. Consequently, the transatlantic relationship merged at the end of the World War II as a set of values that ensured the promotion of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law, and equality. This "historical partnership for democracy" (Dobrescu 2003:161) occurred in successive