British Government Policy and Decolonisation, 1945-63: Scrutinising the Official Mind

This is a study of the views held by British policy-makers on the Empire-Commonwealth from 1945 to 1963. It enquires into the economic, geopolitical and strategic importance politicians and civil servants in London attributed to their country's colonies, overseas commitments and Dominions - in other words, it analyses the importance of the Empire-Commonwealth for Britain's self-image as a great power. The book's aim is to understand some of the contradictions of imperial post-war history: Why did the British withdraw graciously from some possessions while sticking obstinately to others? Why did they maintain an extensive presence overseas despite Britain's precarious balance of payments? And, finally, why did they open up the Commonwealth to new members in spite of the fact that the latter were likely to disrupt the "club's" old unanimity? By studying a wide range of debates on general and specific imperial problems, the book highlights the "official mind" of decolonization - and of late imperialism.

Frank Heinlein was awarded a PhD, on which this book is based, by the European University Institute in Florence in 1999