SJS 4: "Britain and Europe: The End of the Affair?"

SJS 4: “Britain and Europe: The End of the Affair?”

Source:  Matthijs, Matthias. "Britain and Europe: The End of the Affair?" Current History: A Journal of Contemporary World Affairs 113.761 (2014): 91-97. Print.

Author Credentials: Matthias Matthijs is Assistant Professor of International Political Economy at SAIS in Washington, DC. As a professor, he mainly focuses his courses in International Relations, International Economics and Comparative Politics. His main research focuses on economics, ideas on economic policy making, and the erosion of democratic legitimacy in advanced industrial states. He was bestowed a 2015 Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award for his work and was also awarded the Max M. Fisher Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2011 and 2015. Aside from being a professor, Matthias Matthijs is also an editor and writer for many different articles and other documents that are mainly based on European politics and society.

Summary: This article begins by explaining that in the seventy plus years that Britain has been part of Europe, they have never fully committed to all of the policies of the European Union. Throughout the many years, there have been many different leaders that have all been unable to decide to fully commit to the policies of the EU. Each of these leaders took a different approach to how they handled the policies of the European Union and which policies they did not want Britain to follow completely. The first three post-war prime ministers preferred to deliberately keep their foreign policy focus away from Europe and more towards the wider world. When Edward Heath became prime minister of Britain, he believed that the country was better when working with other European countries with the reconstruction phase after World War II; “... who passionately believed that reconstruction and reconciliation had to go hand in hand with greater political unity.” He emphasized that Britain belonged to Europe and he eventually was able to make the country part of the European Union in 1973. Through the next couple years into the early 1980's, Britain spent it’s time dealing with economic issues in the country. With this, an exemption was made to the establishment of the European Monetary System of fixed exchange rates which Britain refused to join. The European Euro struggles as a currency and continues to grow the tension between Britain the the EU. The “Euro Crisis” has lasted for three years and any country that decides to remain in the European Union will most likely be regulated more then they already are. This is not what Britain wants from remaining part of the Union. David Cameron became the new leader when this situation was unfolding. He must make a decision on where he is going to lead Great Britain going forward from this situation. If Britain would decide to “cut off” from Europe, then it would still find that it is still part of Europe to some extent. This is because the continent can never truly be “cut off” and Britain will still be, “run by Europe.”

Analysis: Matthijs article clearly explains the situation that was taking place during the time period. This situation being Britain being pressured by the EU and having to make a decision soon on whether they must remain part of the union or split off and be “cut off” from the continent of Europe. The author explains this situation without taking a side on whether he thinks that Britain should remain part of the EU or not. Instead of taking a position on either side, he explains what is happening by using many details and events that took place in the past to give a further explanation on what is happening. By giving these background facts, it lays a better foundation for the readers to better understand the concepts and further understand how the situation is complicated and not easily solvable by choosing either of the two choices that Britain has been given.The information is presented in a very objective manner without opinions that may skew facts to one side or another.  Matthias Matthijs is a reliable source because of his extensive studies and research about the topic and European politics and economics in general.