Publisher's Synopsis
'This is a very clearly written book that makes a significant contribution to the analysis of how British policy towards the European Union is made, and provides considerable insight into the extent of the Europeanisation of British policy making. The book also provides up-to-date information on the mechanisms of policy co-ordination within Whitehall, and the role of politicians and of the wider British policy communities' - Stephen George The significance of British foreign policy in relation to Europe is wide-ranging, stretching from the grand policy of monetary union to the regulation of air quality. These developments span all government departments - European affairs does not, therefore, just fall under the responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; policy-making and policy-implementation issues permeate into the wider body of domestic government departments, from Trade and Industry to the Treasury and Social Security to the Scottish Office. European and domestic foreign policy are no longer separate but intrinsically intertwined.;~This study is an invaluable contribution to the subject, directing readers through the significance of European affairs to Britain, the manner in which decisions are taken and the likely developments in the future.~The transformation of the context of foreign policy making, the technological revolution, and the change in international relations between ostensibly 'sovereign' countries and changes at the domestic level are striking. This book will examine these issues through an analysis of British European policy making process. Its aims are three-fold. First, to examine where power lies in the making of British European policy. Second, to examine the extent to which the process through which European foreign policy is made, shapes the outcome. ~There are two aspects to this. Are different types of issue handled at different levels of policy-making, and are any patterns discernible? For example does the high, sectoral and low politics distinction still hold true? Does each pattern display a specific set of characteristics in terms of participants, political and official level interaction and freedom of manoeuvre?;Third, it examines three future scenarios for the making of European foreign policy.~A study of British European Foreign policy will therefore help to direct the reader through the policy significance of European affairs to Britain, the manner in which decisions are taken and the likely development for this area. This approach benefits from case study material and draws on primary research and secondary material. The book would consequently provide a valuable addition to the Political Dynamics of the European Union series by filling a gap in the existing literature.~The book principally charts the evolution of British European policy since 1973, but briefly makes reference in the introduction to earlier developments. The book takes a case study approach to illustrate major concepts and themes. It examines patterns of foreign policy-making and these will include EU treaty negotiations, financial affairs and regulatory standards. This work builds upon the existing research of each author. Both have paid particular attention to the dynamic of change in the British European policy.~;The book provides an up-to-date overview of the significance of Britain's foreign policy in relation to European affairs - an area of interest to students of Politics, International Relations and Law as well as academics, politicians, EU and NATO officials and specialised journalists.
