America's Perceptions of Europe [Paperback]

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.The Global Engine that Keeps on Going, and Going, and Going Misperceptions, Myths, and Justifications Explained Simplifying the Confusing: the 'Short-Short' of Europe and the European Union Attractive, Determined, and Competitive: Socialism Has Ceased to Be High Tech Gizmos, Web-surfing, Cells, and Green Power The Things We Want in Life: Health, Security, Work, Culture, and Quality Europe's Global Tentacles Reach you Everywhere: Trade, Law, Business, Armaments, and Military Operations Kant and Uncle Sam: Competition, Cordiality, Coordination, Congruence, and Cooperation

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 l3;