Soft power in transatlantic relations through the lens of higher education - The European Union’s role in transatlantic educational diplomacy (1990-present)

Valakas, Petros; Βαλάκας, Πέτρος

Master Thesis

Author

Valakas, Petros

Βαλάκας, Πέτρος

Date

2026

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of higher education as a tool of soft power within transatlantic relations. It analyses how, since the 1990s, the European Union has used education to promote its values and to build influence in the United States, while also considering the broader dynamics of EU–U.S. educational cooperation and the political transformations that have shaped these relations. Higher education is increasingly recognised as a key source of international influence. Strong universities and academic exchanges enhance reputation, attract talent, and foster cultural and political connections. However, education has often been overlooked in international relations research. Its contribution becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of soft power, as it provides a means of shaping preferences and strengthening partnerships without coercion. In this context, internationalisation and Europeanisation of higher education are central, as they show how academic systems adapt to global competition while advancing shared values and standards. The thesis analyses how education functions in practice as an instrument of soft power through student mobility initiatives, academic cooperation schemes, and institutional frameworks. It focuses on three major programmes: the Jean Monnet Programme, Erasmus Mundus, and the Fulbright-Schuman Programme. These instruments demonstrate how the European Union has promoted European Studies, built long-term academic links with the United States, and used education as part of its external action. Thus, education emerges not merely as cultural exchange but also as a strategic resource in the global competition for knowledge and influence. Finally, the thesis addresses the political and structural challenges affecting the future of transatlantic educational soft power, including declining openness, shifting foreign policy priorities, and the reconfiguration of academic partnerships following major geopolitical developments. These trends illustrate that educational diplomacy must continually adapt to remain effective in a rapidly changing international environment.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Διεθνείς και Ευρωπαϊκές Σπουδές

Department

Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών

Number of pages

Language

English

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19344

Collections

Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών

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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα