Analysing the shifts in the global structure of power, leading European contributors reflect on how the EU can utilise collective strength to engage and compete with rapidly developing nations. They examine perceptions of the EU among the emerging powers and the true meaning and nature of any strategic partnerships negotiated. Finally they explore the shape and structure of the international system in the 21st century and how the EU can contribute to and shape it.

Thomas Renard is a Research Fellow in the Europe in the World Programme at Egmont - Royal Institute for International Relations. Sven Biscop is Director of Egmont's Europe in the World Programme and visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges and at Ghent University.

Contents: Introduction, Thomas Renard and Sven Biscop; Part I The Global Order: From emerging power to superpower: a long way to go?, Tanguy Struye de Swielande; Insecurity in the post-liberal age: key security challenges of the early 21st century, Tomas Ries; A multipolar world in the making, Thomas Renard; Multilateralism in crisis? Global governance in the 21st century, Marc Saxer. Part II The EU in the 21st Century: Europe's role in the 21st century, Janis A. Emmanouilidis; Developing a grand strategy for the EU, Jolyon Howorth; The EU's strategic partnerships with emerging powers: institutional, legal, economic and political perspectives, Antoine Sautenet; Is the EU a 'better' global player? An analysis of emerging powers' perceptions, Lorenzo Fioramonti; Asymmetrical multilateralism: the BRICS, the US, Europe and the reform of global governance (2005-2011), Richard Gowan. Conclusion: From global disorder to an effective multilateral order: an agenda for the EU, Thomas Renard and Sven Biscop; Index.