ABSTRACT
Generally speaking, the role of the Europeans in international relations, especially its international interventions, is not a single phenomenon but a composite one, namely, an integration of six aspects: "traditional hegemonic state", "force of economic expansion", "modern civilization communicator", "global norm-maker", "international discourse innovator", and "regional integration demonstrator". To understand the European intervention, this chapter not only analyzes the general practices of international security, trade, and diplomacy, but also explains the phenomenon of "political culture". In most of the time and most occasions of the contemporary world, Europe did place political and diplomatic solutions prior to the use of force, but it never meant renouncing the use of force and deterrence; when necessary, the European giant would immediately show its true colors, as in its recent military intervention in Libya. In the new era, China needs to get creatively involved in the world, and can obtain some inspiration from Europe.
