Between Europe and America The Future of British Politics

No longer a global power in its own right, Britain increasingly faces a fundamental choice of alignment with Europe or with America. They represent different identities, different economic and political models, and different futures. This choice has become the fault-line within and between the political parties, and is at the heart of many of the most pressing issues in British politics, whether membership of the euro or war in Iraq. In this major new book Andrew Gamble traces the origins of Britain's predicament in the history of British exceptionalism especially in relation to the Union and Empire, and Britain's relationship with America and the rest of the English-speaking world and with Europe. He shows how these factors shaped the 'English model' of society and political economy and how this was reflected in the policies and practice of the dominant Conservative and Labour Parties. Under Thatcher and Blair, he argues, the political class has begun to look for new ways of moving beyond political crisis and economic decline. A transformation of British politics is under way. It is far from complete but its resolution will shape not only the future of the British state but of Britain itself. Book jacket.

Andrew Gamble is Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield.

English Questions * The World Island * State of the Union * The Empire Within * Anglo-America * Reluctant Europeans * The English Model * Conservative Schisms * Labour Old and New * The Future of British Politics
English Questions * The World Island * State of the Union * The Empire Within * Anglo-America * Reluctant Europeans * The English Model * Conservative Schisms * Labour Old and New * The Future of British Politics