New Fletcher School fellow Michael Lake gave a preview Tuesday of the course he will teach next spring.
Lake, who served as the European Commission Ambassador to South Africa from 2001 until he came to Tufts this fall, gave his first speech open to the public in Cabot Hall.
He spoke on "European Union-U.S. Relations in the Post-Constitutional Limbo" to about 20 Fletcher School and undergraduate students.
The European Constitution failed to be ratified after it was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands earlier this year. Despite its rejection, Lake said, European Union-U.S. relations remain strong. "More investments flow between Europe and the United States than to any other economies," he said.
Lake addressed issues ranging from expansion of Europe's influence in the world relative to that of the United States to the current military goals of the European Union.
Though China and India have gained large shares of the world market, Lake said, the United States' continuing commitment to European trade can be seen by past spending. "The United States invests in France 45 percent more than it does in China," he said. "In 2003, the United States put $100 billion into the [European Union]."
Fletcher School Professor Alan Henrikson organized the event and gave opening remarks. He said this is the first time a fellow from the European Union will teach at the Fletcher School. "This is a unique partnership with the European Commission," he said. "We've never had this opportunity before."
Lake will teach a seminar next semester on external relations of the European Union.
Henrikson organized the lecture to give Fletcher School students the opportunity to meet Lake and hear what issues will be discussed in the class.
Many political theorists fear the growing influence of a united Europe, Lake said, but he downplayed such concerns. "America will always have the biggest army, and China will always produce the cheapest goods," he said. "Economically, Europe is lagging behind the United States."
At this point, Lake said, the European Union is an "experiment" that will answer many questions. There needs to be a balance between the social and economic interests of a united Europe, he said.
Following the lecture, Lake took questions from the audience. The questions focused on Europe's support of underdeveloped countries and the continent's military stance.
"I found the lecture to be very enlightening," second-year Fletcher student Pasha Vasilev said. "The European Union is relatively new and it is important to understand what it is about."
