Abstract

Though based on the historic interaction between Atlantic peoples, the Atlantic Civilization only became a reality after World War II with the East West conflict. It comprised a liberal economic order and democratic states, most of which were linked together in a military alliance and led by the United States. The system is now severely challenged by consequences of globalization and a revival of geopolitics, in particular Russia’s intervention in the Ukraine as well as terrorism and the rise of populism. Its future depends on successfully dealing with the new threats to its central values.