United Kingdom

Question 1

Who came up with The Three Circles of British Foreign Policy?

Answer 1

Anthony Eden in the early 1950s

He believed UK had a unique set of relationships it could leverage to maintain global influence

Question 2

What are The Three Circles of British FP?

Answer 2

• The Commonwealth
• Europe
• The US

Question 3

What is the Commonwealth?

Answer 3

• An association of former UK colonies + dependent territories
• Queen at its head

Question 4

In the 1950s and 60s, what was the Commonwealth seen as?

Answer 4

• An honourable successor to Empire

- Ex post facto justification for Empire

Question 5

Arguments in favour of Britain cultivating closer relationships with the Commonwealth?

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Arguments against Britain cultivating closer relationships with the Commonwealth (rather than the EU)?

Answer 6

• Loose association of states
• Lacks political architecture of EU
• More of a drain on British resources

Question 7

When did the European Economic Community (EEC) become the EU?

Answer 7

In 1992

Question 8

What have always played a key role in Britain’s foreign policies with the EU?

Answer 8

Domestic politics have always played a key role in Britain’s foreign policies with the EU

Question 9

Why did Britain’s attempts to join the EU in 1960s fail?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Who was Ted Heath?

Answer 10

• Elected Prime Minister in 1970
• Very pro-EU
• Only PM who has put relationships with Europe ahead of US + the Commonwealth

Question 11

What does Ted Heath massive underplay in Britain joining the EU?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What was the key problem with UK joining EU in 1970s rather in 1950s when it was asked?

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

When UK joined EU was it still a military + economic superpower?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What is the Special Relationship?

Answer 14

Idea: UK and US, due to shared language + values, will naturally come to similar conclusions on international issues

Question 15

What is the Special Relationship seen in?

Answer 15

• Intelligence
• Military to military cooperation
• UK + US are each other’s biggest employer + investor

Question 16

Why was Suez Canal Crisis a watershed for British influence?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What does Britain get from the US?

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

What doesn’t Britain get from the US?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

What does the US get from Britain?

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

British alternatives to the Special Relationship…

Answer 20

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

Question 21

American alternatives to the Special Relationship…

Answer 21

• Post-Brexit, Germany might be US’ most useful partner in Europe
• Europe as military + economic competitor
• Pivot towards Asia

Question 22

What suggests that the alliance system is under strain?

Answer 22

• 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