In March, 2025 after the U.S.
had direct talks with Russia on ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the E.U.
stepped up its game in helping Ukraine militarily. This was also in the context
of a trade war between the E.U. and U.S., which did not make transatlantic
relations any better. The E.U.’s increasing emphasis on military aid to Ukraine
and the related publicity inadvertently showcased how federalism could be applied
to defense and foreign policy differently that it has in the U.S., wherein the
member states are excluded, since the Articles of Confederation, when the
member states were sovereign within the U.S. confederation. Although both manifestations
of early-modern federalism have their respective benefits and risks, I contend
that the E.U.’s application of federalism to the two governmental domains of
power is more in the spirit of (dual-sovereignty) federalism, even though serious
vulnerabilities can be identified.
The full essay is at "The E.U. and U.S. on Defense and Foreign Policy."
