The European Union and Regional Integration: A Critical Analysis of Peacebuilding and Support for the United Nations System

Abstract

This paper offers a critical analysis of the European Union as a model of regional integration and examines its contribution to peace and to the effectiveness of the United Nations system. Set against the background of the failure of the League of Nations, the study argues that the post-1945 international order has endured largely because it is supported by strong regional institutions. Using the EU as the primary case study, the paper contends that by institutionalizing peace within Europe through economic interdependence, binding law, and supranational governance, the EU has created a zone of stability that reduces the burden on global governance structures. Furthermore, the paper analyzes how the EU functions as a support pillar for the United Nations under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Through financial contributions, peacekeeping partnerships, and coordinated diplomacy, the EU has reinforced multilateralism and provided capacity for conflict management and development. A comparative perspective is also drawn with other regional bodies such as ECOWAS to demonstrate a broader pattern of regional-global cooperation. The paper concludes that the longevity of the United Nations, compared to the League of Nations, can be partly explained by this two-level architecture of global and regional governance. While the EU’s support for the UN is substantial, it is also inconsistent, as internal EU divisions sometimes undermine collective action. Ultimately, the study shows that effective regional integration is a critical condition for sustaining peace and strengthening the United Nations system.