United Kingdom Flashcards
Who came up with The Three Circles of British Foreign Policy?
Anthony Eden in the early 1950s
He believed UK had a unique set of relationships it could leverage to maintain global influence
What are The Three Circles of British FP?
- The Commonwealth
- Europe
- The US
What is the Commonwealth?
- An association of former UK colonies + dependent territories
- Queen at its head
In the 1950s and 60s, what was the Commonwealth seen as?
- An honourable successor to Empire
- Ex post facto justification for Empire
Arguments in favour of Britain cultivating closer relationships with the Commonwealth?
- Its a broad cultural + linguistic association -> enormous scope for UK soft power
- Played useful role in mediating conflicts around world between + within its member states e.g. Apartheid South Africa
- Useful bridge between developed + developing world
Arguments against Britain cultivating closer relationships with the Commonwealth (rather than the EU)?
- Loose association of states
- Lacks political architecture of EU
- More of a drain on British resources
When did the European Economic Community (EEC) become the EU?
In 1992
What have always played a key role in Britain’s foreign policies with the EU?
Domestic politics have always played a key role in Britain’s foreign policies with the EU
Why did Britain’s attempts to join the EU in 1960s fail?
- Both Conservative + Labour governments failed to join
- Both failed due to French vetoes (Charles de Gaulle)
- Bids not based on enthusiasm for European project
- More concerned with access to Common Market
Who was Ted Heath?
- Elected Prime Minister in 1970
- Very pro-EU
- Only PM who has put relationships with Europe ahead of US + the Commonwealth
What does Ted Heath massive underplay in Britain joining the EU?
- Massively underplays transfer of sovereignty involved
- Idea of joining is never popular -> accepted as an economic necessity
- Issue of sovereignty always there in the background
What was the key problem with UK joining EU in 1970s rather in 1950s when it was asked?
- UK joined an organisation rather than founded one -> had to accept rules already in place
- Common Agricultural Policy may never have got off the ground
- Bad bargains on dairy products, fishing rights + the EEC budget
When UK joined EU was it still a military + economic superpower?
- If UK had joined in 1950s it would have done so as a military + economic superpower
- By 1970, its GDP growth rate was half that of the 5 major EEC countries
What is the Special Relationship?
Idea: UK and US, due to shared language + values, will naturally come to similar conclusions on international issues
What is the Special Relationship seen in?
- Intelligence
- Military to military cooperation
- UK + US are each other’s biggest employer + investor
Why was Suez Canal Crisis a watershed for British influence?
- Eden’s decision to act alone w. France + Israel -> final attempt to establish UK could act independently from US
- But threatened w. economic sanctions from US so withdrew troops
What does Britain get from the US?
- Military protection -> no other state could provide to same extent
- Access to intelligence capability
- Diplomatic clout
- Sense it’s still part of the Great Power club
What doesn’t Britain get from the US?
- Preferential treatment when it comes to trade
- Often on opposite sides of international trade disputes
- UK doesn’t influence US policy much outside of EU / NATO context
What does the US get from Britain?
- Military valuable global power -> of all Western powers, only UK + France could deploy substantial forces for lengthy period
- Up until Brexit, US had major ally in EU that tended to see international economic issues in same way
- Wall Street + City of London -> financial capitals of the world -> work together on financial regulation -> only area in which US + UK are on equal terms
British alternatives to the Special Relationship…
Retrenchment: Does Britain really need to play a global role?
UK doesn’t have material resources, the reach or diplomatic clout to be a great power again
Greater cooperation with Commonwealth
- But UK leadership has brought about notions of protecting sovereignty in ex-colonies
- They just want trade deals that work in their interest
American alternatives to the Special Relationship…
- Post-Brexit, Germany might be US’ most useful partner in Europe
- Europe as military + economic competitor
- Pivot towards Asia
What suggests that the alliance system is under strain?
- Post 9/11 world
- NATO engagement less desired by US
- US increasingly seeking to work alone (unilaterally) when dealing w. national security threats
- NATO (+ other IOs e.g. UN) increasingly seen as overly cumbersome + bureaucratic
