rival universalisms in transatlantic relations: obama's exceptionalism meets europe's low profile

This article offers the central argument that universalisms - defined as narratives of identity and role-playing in International Relations (IR) - depict different roles and identities for the United States and the European Union (EU). On the one hand, America's universalism depicts the democratic city upon a hill that leads in the world by example and with power, hard and soft. On the other, Europe's universalism is a utopia (an ideal plan) and a fragile balance between supranationalism and inter-governmentalism, putting forward consensual but ambiguous notions of 'civilian' and 'normative' power. Despite ample evidence of its international primacy and potential, the EU insists on keeping a low profile in IR. As a result of these trends, the rhetoric of the West and common values on the basis of transatlantic relations are clearly undermined.