European Supranational Identity in the context of Liberal World Order

Abstract

This article explores the evolution and challenges of European supranational identity within the context of the liberal world order. Rooted in the post–World War II project of integration, the European Union (EU) has developed as a unique supranational entity grounded in liberal democratic norms, multilateralism, and the rule of law. As a self-proclaimed normative power, the EU has sought to project these values globally through diplomacy, trade, and institutional influence. However, this identity is increasingly contested. Internally, the rise of nationalism, democratic backsliding, and divisions over sovereignty have strained the cohesion and legitimacy of EU governance. Externally, the retreat of U.S. leadership under the Trump administration’s “America First” doctrine and Europe’s continued reliance on NATO have exposed the limits of EU strategic autonomy. The article outlines several future trajectories for the EU—ranging from deeper integration and strategic autonomy to normative retrenchment or decline into intergovernmentalism—and argues that the Union’s ability to adapt without abandoning its core values will be critical to its continued role as a pillar of a reimagined liberal world order.