Euroscepticism and Uk
Table of Contents Introduction 2 The meaning of Euroscepticism 3 Causes and progress of the Euroscepticism in Great Britain 4 Great Britain and Europe 5 Conclusion 6 Bibliography 7
Introduction
“We are with you, but not of you,” the famous quote by Winston Churchill in 1948 what unofficially stated Great Britain’s political position towards Europe. Great Britain has been an awkward partner in Europe for a long time. Non-willingness to be described as a part of Europe, the refusal to join European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 (predecessor of the European Community and European Union), the willingness to go ‘only wider, but not deeper’ in case of European Union expansion, and the fear of losing her national identity and becoming a European, just as everyone else, are still just some of the actions Britain has taken to defend her exceptional identity.
Because of that, Great Britain is often described as ‘an awkward partner’ and ‘reluctant European’ what leads this report to its main question - how has British Euroscepticism affected Britain’s role in Europe?
Choice of the topic is based on endless debates and ambiguity caused by Britain’s and Europe’s relationships in political as well as social spheres. Based on materials collected through the desk research, this report tries to understand interdependence of these two sides.
This report addresses main question, going through three sections explaining Euroscepticism and its impact on Great Britain and Europe.
First, report examines Euroscepticism itself. What is the meaning and definition of the term, as well as what role does it play for Great Britain, and in what ways is it manifested.
Second section considers reasons and evidence why Euroscepticism has started in Great Britain and why it is one of the most characterizing features identifying British foreign policy today.
The final section examines how Great Britain’s attitude and actions taken have affected Europe’s and its member’s view of Great
Introduction
“We are with you, but not of you,” the famous quote by Winston Churchill in 1948 what unofficially stated Great Britain’s political position towards Europe. Great Britain has been an awkward partner in Europe for a long time. Non-willingness to be described as a part of Europe, the refusal to join European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 (predecessor of the European Community and European Union), the willingness to go ‘only wider, but not deeper’ in case of European Union expansion, and the fear of losing her national identity and becoming a European, just as everyone else, are still just some of the actions Britain has taken to defend her exceptional identity.
Because of that, Great Britain is often described as ‘an awkward partner’ and ‘reluctant European’ what leads this report to its main question - how has British Euroscepticism affected Britain’s role in Europe?
Choice of the topic is based on endless debates and ambiguity caused by Britain’s and Europe’s relationships in political as well as social spheres. Based on materials collected through the desk research, this report tries to understand interdependence of these two sides.
This report addresses main question, going through three sections explaining Euroscepticism and its impact on Great Britain and Europe.
First, report examines Euroscepticism itself. What is the meaning and definition of the term, as well as what role does it play for Great Britain, and in what ways is it manifested.
Second section considers reasons and evidence why Euroscepticism has started in Great Britain and why it is one of the most characterizing features identifying British foreign policy today.
The final section examines how Great Britain’s attitude and actions taken have affected Europe’s and its member’s view of Great
Bibliography: Bagehot, How Britain could leave Europe, “Economist”, Vol. 401, Iss. 8764, pp. 104-104, 2011 http://www.economist.com/node/21541831 Brainy Quote http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stefanedbe361918.html Michael White, Britain, proud home of Euroscepticism, guardian.co.uk, 26 January, 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/26/britain-proud-home-euroscepticism Oliver J [ 5 ]. Information posted annually by The Global Financial Centres Index 11 (March 2012) [ 6 ]