Lecture notes
Lecture notes on Britain and European Politics
- Module
- British Politics
- Institution
- Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
In-depth lecture notes on contemporary Britain and European Politics
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THE EUROPEAN ISSUE AND BRITISH POLITICSThe British ‘problem’ with Europe
Long historical and deep cultural roots with ‘Europe’
History
From the Armada to Napoleon and the Germans
Classic solution: ‘Balance of Power’ – a strong navy and ‘imperial defence’
The concentric circle model of foreign policy priorities
Post 1945: the challenges of rethinking Britain’s place in the post-war world – what our main
interests are
But a culture of British ‘exceptionalism’…
Bi-partisan outlook on the ‘the others’
A ‘thousand years of history’ and ‘the island story’
Island mentality: from Shakespeare to UKIP
Disdain for ‘Johnny foreigner’
Superiority complex: The ‘Wind in the Willows’ syndrome – idea that no place is better than
Britain
Beginnings of Europe’s peace project
Historical roots: War and catharsis and the move to tame nationalism in Europe
An idea ‘whose time had arrived’?
But not for the UK… or not yet… Mr Bretherton’s memorandum
Although UK supported integration initiatives: ‘in’ but not ‘of’ Europe
‘The bomb’, ‘east of Suez’ and ‘delusions of power’
‘Europe’ is ‘not for us’ – Winston Churchill
…until the long decline and slow ‘imperial sunset’ registered with government
Historic shift: Macmillan decides to join the EEC (European Economic Community 1960) –
economic cooperation between member states.
Why EC membership? British policy re-aligned 1961-1973
The end of Empire: ‘no jewel, no crown’
‘Lost and Empire but not yet found a role in the world’ – Dean Acheson
The significance of the Suez crisis 1956
Changing trade patterns
Commonwealth problems
Atlanticism in decline: the ‘special relationship’ becomes less special
The meaning of European integration
Blurring of the domestic / foreign policy boundary
Increased ‘intrusion’ into ‘domestic’ policy/governance
The need to co-operate to meet ‘new global threats’
Rising regional/global ‘interdependence’
European citizenship and the identity question
The meaning of ‘Europeanization’: pooling sovereignty
But not in all aspects of policy – ‘red lines’ and vetoes
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