GLOBAL POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

The existing global system experiences significant changes associated with increasing great power rivalry, economy as a means of political warfare, and rival blocs of powers, such as BRICS. International institutions face crises in terms of their legitimacy, while regional blocs and ad hoc coalitions are gaining importance in international politics. In this regard, the European Union occupies an extremely unique position, being neither a great power in the traditional sense nor merely a player in international relations. Instead, the European Union can be viewed as a conditional power which acts depending on a balance between its diversity and outside pressure. This paper will explore the conditional role that the EU plays in the context of a changing global order considering three interconnected factors – the establishment of strategic autonomy in security and defense, the exercise of normative leadership through global governance and geo-economic instrument. The analysis highlights how internal fragmentation, resource constraints, and dependence on the United States constrain effectiveness, while climate diplomacy, digital regulation, and investment partnerships sustain relevance. Ultimately, the paper argues that the EU’s role is conditional, adaptive, and contested, yet remains central to debates on multipolarity and global governance reform.