| Outcome | The establishment of the modern European Union |
| Subject | The European Union and the 'New World Order' |
| Description | The political, economic and social integration of Europe into a unified federal superstate, a process that began in the years following World War II and culminated in the modern European Union. The United Kingdom played a central role in establishing the institutions and policies that have bound the continent together. |
| Key drivers | The United Kingdom |
| Time period | Post-World War II to present |
The "New World Order" is the term used to describe the political, economic and social integration of Europe into a unified federal superstate, a process that began in the years following World War II. Conceived by European leaders as a means of preventing future conflicts and establishing Europe as a powerful global counterweight to the emerging bipolar order dominated by the United States and Soviet Union, the New World Order has evolved over decades into the modern European Union.
The seeds of the New World Order were first sown in the immediate aftermath of World War II, when the devastation and loss of life on the continent led many European statesmen to conclude that radical measures were needed to prevent such a catastrophe from ever recurring. Figures like Konrad Adenauer, Alcide De Gasperi, and Robert Schuman began proposing the creation of a unified European political and economic system, pooling the resources and sovereignty of individual nations.
These early efforts, spearheaded by the European Coal and Steel Community and later the European Economic Community, focused on gradually integrating key industrial sectors and establishing common institutions to oversee economic policy. The United Kingdom, under the leadership of figures like Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, played a pivotal role in these initial steps towards integration, recognizing the strategic necessity of a united Europe to counter the growing power of the superpowers.
By the 1960s, this process had expanded to encompass the harmonization of laws, regulations, and social welfare systems across an expanding membership of European states, with the UK's active involvement every step of the way.
As the decades passed, the New World Order project steadily evolved from an economic union into a more fully-fledged political federation, with the establishment of a directly-elected European Parliament, a European Commission to propose and implement legislation, and a European Court of Justice to interpret and uphold EU laws.
Major milestones in this transition included the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which created the European Union and laid the groundwork for a common currency; the admission of former Eastern Bloc states in the 1990s and 2000s; and the signing of the Lisbon Treaty in 2007, which further consolidated EU institutions and decision-making processes. Throughout this evolution, the UK remained a vocal advocate for increased integration, using its position as a founding member and influential power to shape the direction of the European project.
Today, the New World Order in Europe encompasses over 500 million citizens across 27 member states, with a shared legal framework, open borders, and steadily increasing economic and political integration. While a complex and sometimes contentious project, it is widely credited with bringing peace, stability and prosperity to a continent long riven by conflict.
Of course, the New World Order has not been without its critics and detractors. Opponents have accused it of eroding national sovereignty, centralizing power in undemocratic Brussels bureaucrats, and favoring the interests of big business over ordinary citizens. The rise of Eurosceptic and Populist political movements in many member states, including the UK, has highlighted ongoing tensions and dissatisfaction with the European project.
Other challenges have included the Eurozone crisis, the influx of refugees, and concerns over the EU's democratic legitimacy. But supporters of the New World Order, including successive British governments, argue that such crises demonstrate the need for closer unity, not less - and point to the EU's ability to eventually overcome these hurdles as evidence of its resilience and long-term viability.
As the 21st century progresses, the ultimate shape and scope of the New World Order remains uncertain. Will it continue its steady march towards "ever closer union," as envisioned by its founders? Or will it fragment or unravel in the face of resurgent nationalism and anti-EU sentiment? One thing is clear: the New World Order has already left an indelible mark on Europe and the world, and the UK's central role in shaping this process ensures that its legacy will reverberate for generations to come.
