Abstract
This study, by a group of important political thinkers, provides an analysis of the often problematic relationship between Britain and the European Union. The book opens with a general review of the history of this relationship since 1950. This is followed by ten chapters by other researchers, each investigating a particular aspect of the relationship, the view of Britain from Europe, Business, the Civil Service, and the Trade Unions. It also discusses the attitude of the media and different political parties in England, Scotland and Wales. The book is also a scrutiny of the attitude of the media.In the introduction, Baker and Seawright explain the complexity of the relation that Britain entertains with the European Union. This relation was marked by tension mainly because of Britain that the author describes as ‘the reluctant European partner' . After this they provide readers with a brief idea of the ten chapters. All chapters deal with the British European relation but each deal with a specific aspect of it. The first chapter “The European Issue in British Politics” by Andrew Gamble provides a historical review of the integration of Britain in the European Union. The issue of integration in the Union itself is very specific since it raises questions of sovereignty and identity that the British can not answer: “Europe is this kind of issue. It divides parties because it fuses together issues of sovereignty and identity with political economy in a novel and powerful way.” As Gamble explains, the issue is so complex that it raises all sorts of controversies within British politicians. Yet, the complexity of the issue is not the only explanation for the uneasiness that marks the relation between Europe and Britain. In fact, there is the way with which Britain views Europe that affects the relation as well as the influence of the United States of America.
