Glyn Morgan's 'The Rise and Fall of American Europe' Review

In a critique featured in The New Yorker, political scientist Glyn Morgan presents his book 'The Rise and Fall of American Europe' (Polity), asserting that the United States played a pivotal role in postwar European integration. He contends that American leaders, notably Franklin D. Roosevelt, envisioned a unified Europe ahead of European counterparts. Morgan references the impact of Walt Rostow on Jean Monnet and William C. Bullitt's support for a democratic Europe in 1943. The narrative tracks the transition from the European Coal and Steel Community (1951) to the EU (1993) as frameworks imposed by the U.S., emphasizing the significance of the Marshall Plan and NATO. Additionally, it contrasts this with European contributions and addresses contemporary challenges posed by populist nationalism, including figures like Donald Trump and far-right movements. Morgan also introduces the concept of 'Civilizational America' and raises questions about the future of Europe.