1st Edition

The Conservative Party and European Integration since 1945 At the Heart of Europe?

By Nick Crowson Copyright 2007
    324 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    This volume provides an up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to British policy in Europe.

    By exploring the schisms within the party over Europe, through primary source-based history and theoretical discourses of political science, N.J. Crowson gives the reader the best sense of understanding of how and why the Conservative party’s policy attitudes to European integration have evolved.

    The Conservative Party and European Integration since 1945 adopts a thematic line based around two chronological periods, 1945–75 and 1975–2006, and uses different methodological approaches. It explores the shifting stances amongst Conservatives within an economic, political and international context as the party adjusted to the decline of Britain’s world role and the loss of empire. Crowson analyzes Britain’s role and relationship with Europe together with the study of the Conservative Party, and deals with economic, commercial and monetary issues, successfully bridging a serious gap in any discussion of the UK’s relations with the European Union and appreciation of the political world in which Conservative European policy has been framed and pursued since 1945.

    This book is recommended for background reading in undergraduate courses in British politics and European history.

    Introduction  1. Conservative Moves Towards Europe, 1945-75: 'Like Chasing a Girl'  2. From EEC to EU, 1975-2006: 'In Europe, But Not Run by Europe'  3. The Issues and Debates: 'Head versus Heart'  4. The Conservative Europeanist  5. Selling Europe: 'A Pretty Big Thing to Undertake'  6. The Conservative Sceptic: 'A Confederacy of Zealots and Lurchers'?  7. Conservatives in Europe: 'Concern of a Private Army'?  Conclusion 

    Biography

    N.J. Crowson is Senior Lecturer in Contemporary British History at the University of Birmingham, UK.