Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relationes Internationales, Vol 2, No 1 (2009)

Abstract

The international system is defined largely by the relative distribution of power between the main component states. At the end of the twentieth century and beginning of XXI century, the main feature of the international system is uni-polarity. United States of America is the only state entity that has the ability to promote their interests in any part of the world both militarily and non-military. However, this hegemony is not synonymous with imperialism and the U.S. to maintain higher status in international relations would not be possible without the existence and encourage cooperation in all areas of life. Furthermore, U.S. international action is governed by a multitude of agreements and treaties to which they are part. With regard to non-state actors, the dialogue on international security institutions and the political alliances, military or economic culture has become an integral part of security. Themes relate to the influences of changes in the security environment of alliances and their members and the scenarios of evolution of existing alliances and creating new forms of association and international cooperation. Recent years have provided sufficient grounds for the debate to flourish: military operations in Afghanistan and Gulf War reinforced the view that there is a strong transatlantic split, Americans and Europeans part of the vision of using force unrequited. Based on the events of recent years can be forecast that NATO will remain a pillar of Euro-Atlantic security and the European Union could develop a credible entity both economic and especially political and strategic, representing, with alliances, another form of community safety. All these trends of globalization takes place, a very dynamic process of increasing interdependence of national states, due to the enlargement and deepening of transnational ties in increasingly large and diverse spheres of economic, political, social and cultural implications aiming that the problems become more global than national, demanding in turn a global solution rather than national.