The Inevitable Alliance

'There has been so much pessimism about the current state of the transatlantic relationship - and even more criticism of the conduct of American foreign policy under Bush - that it comes as something of a relief to read Vittorio Parsi's brilliant counter-attack. Shunning the normal 'European' fashions, he calmly dissects why the West is still alive and well and why we continue to need (even if we don't much like) US[ULB1] primacy. A breath of fresh air' - Michael Cox, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics 'Professor Vittorio Parsi has emerged in recent years as Italy's leading scholar of international relations. He combines intelligence and sophistication to advance original arguments about Europe, America and the global system in which they are both creators and captive. All serious scholars of international relations should ponder the learned analysis that Parsi offers' - G. John Ikenberry, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University 'Vittorio Parsi offers in The Inevitable Alliance a learned and thoughtful analysis of the development of the European-American political and military relations from the end of the Cold War to the beginning of the Iraq War. Parsi is an insightful and elegant writer, and his ideas and arguments will be of interest to students, scholars, journalists, and policy officials.' - Joseph M. Grieco, Professor of Political Science, Duke University 'Vittorio Emanuele Parsi, perhaps the leading young scholar of international relations in Italy today, has written an important book on the future of European-American relations. A committed Atlanticist, he distinguishes his view from the pacifist Left in Europe that eschews all use of force as well as from the Bush administration whose go-it-alone proclivities have alarmed the allies. Parsi recognizes a need for military force, but he also values international law and institutions. He criticizes the view that a united Europe is bound to challenge the United States and undermine the NATO alliance, and he is impatient with simplistic dichotomies of the sort, 'Europe is Venus, America is Mars.' A rare voice of moderation, Parsi argues that the future of the alliance depends on a greater coherence within Europe itself in its foreign-policy goals and capabilities.' - Matthew Evangelista, ,, Professor of International Relations and Director, Peace Studies, Program, Cornell University "The Inevitable Alliance is a learned and provocative contribution to ongoing debate about the future of transatlantic relations. Basing his study on a unique conceptual framework, Parsi offers an analysis that is theoretically rich as well as relevant to the key policy issues of the day." - Charles A. Kupchan, Georgetown University and Council on Foreign Relations, author of The End of the American Era 'Parsi offers us a grand synthesis on the state of the world since the Cold War, and of transatlantic relations since Iraq. The book is written with passion, formidable range and intellectual acuity. In reaching a seemingly conventional endorsement of the need for sound transatlantic relations, but from an unusually critical and radical direction, his is a highly original contribution that deserves our close attention' - Ian Clark Professor of International Politics, University of Wales Aberystwyth, UK "Amid the current cacophony of voices expressing arrogance, resentment or discouragement, professor Parsi comes forward with a uniquely positive message. His attempt to reconcile American hegemony, multilateralism and European identity is both bold and realistic. His call for the unity of the West in a plural world deserves the widest audience" - Pierre Hassner, Directeur Emeritus Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Internationales (CERI) Paris

VITTORIO EMANUELE PARSI is a Professor at the Catholic University of Milan, Italy.

Introduction From the End of History to the End of the World Force, International Law, and Order The Remains of the West