Ups and Downs in the British-Europe Relations (1945-2011)‎

The aim of this paper is to study the British-Europe relations in the framework of European integration. The main question concerns the reasons behind ups and downs in relations between the UK and Europe during the period of 1945 - 2011. Factors including the sovereignty concerns, the empire tradition, specific geopolitics of the Britain, special relations with the United States and the Commonwealth, fear of French-German axis, delayed membership in the European Union, trade-oriented conception of the European integration, different economic system and cultural distinctions are among the variables affecting this relations and British difficult ties with its neighbors. The United Kingdom is not willing for political and military integration with the European Union due to concerns of limitations to its sovereignty. Meanwhile London welcomes the integration in trade area and is pursuing this aim via the expansion of the European Union to the east. In military and security area London is more inclined to follow the US approach in the framework of NATO. Due to these considerations, there have been ups and down in London-Brussels relations and the British relations with the Europe has always been a hot debated issue among the British political parties.