British national identity and the Anglo-American special relationship. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vucetic, Srdjan
• Is Part Of: Journal of transatlantic studies. Volume 14:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Anglo-American special relationship -- foreign policy analysis -- UK foreign policy -- Anglo-French Entente -- national identity -- state identity -- discourse analysis -- international relations theory -- constructivism; Europe -- Foreign relations -- United States -- Periodicals; United States -- Foreign relations -- Europe -- Periodicals; 327.407
• DOI: 10.1080/14794012.2016.1200303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-4012

Abstract

Abstract : Why are successive UK governments so staunchly committed to the 'special relationship' with the US? One common answer – a part of an answer at least – evokes the role of identity and identification. The UK supports the US because the UK's ruling elite believe that the Americans and the British are birds of a feather. This article examines this hypothesis from a 'national identity as a variable' framework developed in constructivist International Relations theory. The main argument presented is that UK support for the special relationship is rooted not simply in elite beliefs but rather in a wider societal acceptance of the global hegemony of 'American' democratic neoliberalism. Multiple national identity discourses exist, but none of them calls on Westminster and Whitehall to chart a path that would be at odds with a world centred on Washington, DC.