Great Britain and European Integration – The Reluctant Nation

Term Paper , 2006 , 12 Pages , Grade: 1,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

This slightly exaggerated statement by the Bolshevik revolutionary, though referring to a soviet-republican idea of Europe, marks the borderlines of British ambivalence towards European integration after 1945: the fear of a supranational federation and the need for a peaceful, stable and free-trading Europe.
“I am British. I am not European” – These are the words of a shopkeeper who among a small group of other “metric martyrs” in 2001 refused to attach to the metric system that had been imported to Great Britain.2 This man was not a philosopher, a historian and certainly not a politician, and his fundamental belief did not refer to the Union, the Empire or the Continent, but to himself as an individual.
Is Great Britain’s reluctance to join the European Union – or rather: to consider oneself European – based entirely on metaphysical convictions, on emotions and ancient sentiments such as “the Empire”? Or are there reasonable arguments for British refusal of European alliance – economical reasons, considerations of power or even force?
Do the British consider themselves part of an “Anglo-American” axis or merely a bridge between Old Europe and the New World?
The following text gives an overview of the process of European integration from a British perspective. It will further discuss the difficulties in defining the difference between “British” and “European” as an attempt to answer the question whether the United Kingdom can be European while remaining British at all.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Great Britain and Europe until 1945
• Britain's way into the European Union
  • 1945 - 1961
  • 1961-1975
  • 1975-1990
  • 1990-now
• British vs. European
• Conclusion
• Appendix I: List of abbreviations
• Appendix II: Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This text aims to provide an overview of Great Britain's relationship with European integration from a historical perspective, focusing on the country's reluctance to fully embrace the European Union. It examines the historical context, key events, and underlying factors that have shaped Britain's ambivalent stance towards European integration.

• The historical development of British-European relations
• The impact of the British Empire on the country's perception of Europe
• The role of economic and political considerations in shaping British policy
• The evolving nature of British identity in relation to Europe
• The challenges and opportunities of European integration for Great Britain

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction sets the stage by exploring the historical context of British ambivalence towards European integration, highlighting the tension between the desire for a peaceful and prosperous Europe and the fear of a supranational federation. It introduces the key themes of the text, including the historical development of British-European relations, the impact of the British Empire, and the evolving nature of British identity.

Chapter 2 delves into the historical relationship between Great Britain and Europe before 1945, focusing on the rise and decline of the British Empire and its impact on the country's perception of itself and its place in the world. It examines the role of the Empire in shaping British identity and its influence on the country's foreign policy.

Chapter 3 provides a detailed account of Britain's journey towards the European Union, covering the period from 1945 to the present day. It examines the key events, political decisions, and economic factors that shaped Britain's approach to European integration, highlighting the country's reluctance to fully commit to the project.

Chapter 4 explores the complex and often contentious relationship between British and European identities, examining the cultural, political, and economic factors that contribute to the perception of a distinct British identity. It analyzes the arguments for and against British membership in the European Union, highlighting the challenges of reconciling British identity with European integration.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include Great Britain, European integration, British identity, European Union, British Empire, Anglo-American alliance, economic cooperation, political sovereignty, and historical context. The text explores the historical development of British-European relations, the impact of the British Empire on the country's perception of Europe, and the challenges and opportunities of European integration for Great Britain.

• College: University of Sheffield
• Course: Britishness, Englishness, Otherness
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Ludwig Andert (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 12
• Catalog Number: V110740
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640089017
• ISBN (Book): 9783640677818
• Language: English
• Tags: Great, Britain, European, Integration, Reluctant, Nation, Britishness, Englishness, Otherness