The UK‘s Ambivalent Relationship with the EU

1. What distinguishes the UK from continental Europe?

2. The consequence of being different

3. Unity in diversity: myth or reality?

The UK’s unique history

At the turn of the 20th century: The world’s leading imperial

power

After its accession: Britain’s place from an international

perspective declined to just being another region within the EU

The 3 concentric circles of Britain’s international interest

The ‘special relationship’ with the UK

It’s geographic location???

Example 1:

Britain’s long road to EU Membership

- 1961 British 1st application to join the EC - 1963 De Gaulle’s veto to Britain’s EC

application - 1967 British 2nd application to join the EC is

again repelled by De Gaulle - 1973 Britain successfully joins the EEC

Euroscepticism, first mentioned in 1986 in UK newspaper

Rooted in English Exceptionalism of the 18th century

Tabloids such as The Sun and The Daily Mail are today widely known to be Eurosceptic

UK one of the most influential media (30 million newspaper readers/day)

Eurosceptic parties emerged, e.g. UK Independence Party (UKIP)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k2Ej9RuEPA

The Consequences:E.g. 'Treaty establishing a

Constitution for Europe' of 2005

If referendum was to be held, a clear British NO would have been the answer to the referendum

70% would have voted against the Constitution

• Britain – part of the Idea of Europe?!• Participation and Isolation

“...no citizen of Europe could be altogether an exile in any part of it...When a man travelled or resided for health, pleasure, business or necessity, away from his country, he never felt himself quite abroad”

Source: Reflections on the Revolution in France, and Thoughts on French Affairs (1790/91)

• Periods of participation in European matters

Peace of Westphalia (1648) Congress of Vienna (1815)First World War (1914-1918)Second World War (1939-1945)

• Period of isolation Imperialism

• UK has a unique history, geographic location and network setting it apart from the EU

• however, Britain is historically also integrated in Europe

• Milestone: 1973 Britain successfully joins the EEC

• Even though or exactly because of its continued Euroscepticism it shapes the development of the EU – maybe more than other MS

• Powerful MS

“Unity in Diversity” – Britain’s role is part of Europe