Why Macron Has Not (Yet) Succeeded in Strengthening Strategic Autonomy

My chapter entitled ‘Coping with the Rise of Sino-American Rivalry: Why Macron Has Not (Yet) Succeeded in Strengthening Strategic Autonomy‘ has just appeared in a collective work entitled ‘Turbulence across the sea. Transatlantic Relations and Strategic Competition’, co-edited by Elie Baranets and Andrew R. Novo, has just been published by the University of Michigan Press.

> Question & Issue

* How has the Sino-American competition transformed France’s strategic relationship with the United States and NATO?

* This chapter shows that the Sino-American rivalry has strengthened and accelerated the political position defended by French representatives in favor of institutional changes reflected by the notions of ‘strategic autonomy’ and ‘European sovereignty’. These notions reflect the French ambition to acquire strategic capabilities specific to European states in order to limit their military, industrial and technological dependence on the great powers.

> Approach & Argument

* Using a public policy analysis approach, this reconfiguration of the alliance strategy is explained by the ‘political work’ undertaken by French representatives. The concept of ‘political work’ is embedded in a constructivist and sociological neo-institutionalist theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of actors. This approach is used to analyze the presidency of Emmanuel Macron during the 2017-2022 period taken as a case study.

* In this political work to activate institutional change, Macron and his political-military entourage faced resistance from France’s European allies, who feared strategic isolation from the United States. The political difficulties France faced in implementing European strategic autonomy resulted less from a lack of leadership than from a lack of legitimacy.

> Chapter outline

* The Shortcomings of Transatlantic Instruments as a Strategic Problem
– Jihadist Terrorism and Russia: Europe under Threat
– China: A New Strategic Priority for the United States
– NATO: What “Brain Death” Means

* Europe’s Strategic Autonomy as a Strategy of Alliances
– Mapping of European Policy Initiatives, 2017–22
– Change through Instruments, Differentiated Integration, and “French Europe”
– Limited Transnational Circulation of a Political Idea through Weak Legitimization

* Conclusion