Kyle Tierney

Amy Hermalik
Justin Miller

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, also widely known as Great Britain or England, is one of

the world’s leaders in from an economic standpoint, as well as in terms of influence in

international relations. The U.K. has the 20th largest population in the world with nearly

60 million at the end of 2002. The British islands are located just west of the European

continent. This location has served to give the United Kingdom considerable influence in

international relations by providing sovereignty and independence from the continental

European powers, as well as giving the U.K. the role of a bridge in relations between the

powers to the west (the United States), and England’s traditional European neighbors.

The major foreign policy goals for the United Kingdom, as outlined in a speech

by Jack Straw before the FCO Leadership on June 6th, 2003 are:

“1) To minimize the threat to international and domestic security posed by weapons

of mass destruction and terrorism;

2) To minimize other threats to the UK, such as uncontrolled migration,

transnational crime and extremism in the Islamic world;

3) To maintain a stable international system based on the UN, the rule of law and

multilateral co-operation;

4) To promote UK economic interests in an open and expanding global economy;

5) To promote democracy, good governance, and development- as we are doing with

the NEPAD- the new partnership for Africa’s development;

6) To bolster the security of British and global energy supplies;

7) And to build a strong European Union in a secure neighborhood.”i

The United Kingdom holds a special relationship with the United States, which it wants

to maintain, utilize, and respect. However, The United Kingdom is also committed to the

idea of acting as a bridge between the US and the rest of Europe. To do this, and to

maintain its clout as a powerful nation, it must walk a narrow line. The recent war in Iraq

placed many European nations (including France and Germany) at odds with the U.S.

Maintaining strong relationships with other European nations is important to the United

Kingdom because of its involvement in the European Union and because of its role as a

broker between the US and Europe, which can add to the power and prestige of the UK,

if done correctly.

The UK also has a narrow line to walk with the EU, balancing the needs of the European

Union with their own interests. They want to support the EU and be a prominent part of

it, however, they want to maintain their power and elite status as one of the most

prominent European nations. As a result, the UK’s involvement in the EU has been a bit

hesitant- one foot in, one foot out. They’ve kept certain restrictive policies in place that

other nations have done away with. However, there’s good reason for it, the UK has the

most to lose with an EU gone bad. They want to have a leadership role in the EU though,

and they’re aware of the benefits of involvement with the EU if it goes well, so it’s
important that they keep the other members of the EU happy with shows of genuine

commitment.

The UK also places a great deal of emphasis on the United Nations and NATO. They

want to see an increased role for international law and international, multilateral action.

The recent events in Iraq slightly compromised the UK’s reputation on this issue.

The UK has a very open, international economy, and wishes to keep it that way,

potentially opening it up even more. Primarily foreign companies control their water,

electric, and energy sources.

Domestic variables that currently impact foreign relations are the events concerning Iraq

and how that has shaped public opinion about the US and prime minister Tony Blair.

Adding to this is an increased discontent within Britain about Blair and the Labour

party’s attempts to revamp social services within the country. If it had worked, it

would’ve been well received, but instead, it appears a great deal of money has been

poured into the cause with few results. As a result of domestic discontent, Blair is trying

to put distance between himself and the US and put emphasis on what he can do

domestically. Recently he opted out of a large conference of nations in NY to give a

speech at a local university, in an attempt to place some distance between himself and the

US and let the citizens of the United Kingdom know that they are his priority.
 The United Kingdom is proud of its reputation throughout the world as a

promoter of peaceful diplomatic relations, and considers many states and groups to be

important friends and allies.

United States

One of the closest “friends” of the U.K. is the United States of America. Since

the end of World War II, the U.K. and U.S. have had what has been termed a “special

relationship,” with the U.K. acting as a bridge between the United States and Europe.

This position has given Britain considerable influence in trans-Atlantic relations. The

U.S. and U.K. maintain very close diplomatic and intelligence ties, and there is a large

degree of military cooperation between both states. Recently, the special relationship

between the United Kingdom and the U.S. has been both renewed and strengthened due

to strong bilateral cooperation in the “war on terror” in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

European Union

The United Kingdom also holds important friendships with nearly all of the states

in Europe, represented through the European Union (EU). The U.K. prefers to maintain a

larger degree of sovereignty and separation from the EU than most other member-states

do; yet the U.K. recognizes the important economic and security relationships that the EU

fosters. The U.K. has benefited from the free trade, tariff-removing economic regime of

the EU as well as the trade conflict resolution body, which mitigates economic disputes

between member states. However, to date Britain has rejected adoption of the Euro,

preferring to keep the pound as its currency.

 France

France is an important friend of the United Kingdom, with whom it interacts both

through the EU and on a bilateral level. The U.K. and France have historically had a

relationship of friendship intermixed with disputes which cause feelings of enmity and

spite on both sides. However, when mitigating these disputes, the leaders of the U.K. and

France realize the tightly converging interests, social, economic and otherwise, that both

states have. There are also strong similarities between the states, and the U.K. recognizes

the importance of cooperation and friendship between itself and France. Recently,

Britain and France have had a large dispute over the war in Iraq, which the U.K.

supported along with the United States, and France vehemently opposed. Although this

has caused a significant strain in relations, the U.K. has worked to rebuild and strengthen

ties to France.

Germany

As with France, bilateral relations between the U.K. and Germany have been

damaged by the disagreement over the war in Iraq, which Germany also strongly

opposed. The economies of Germany and the U.K. are still strongly linked and cooperate

under the free-trade agreement set up by the European Union. However, political and

diplomatic ties have been decreased by the disputes over Iraq. The U.K. is taking steps to

reconcile and rebuild a strong relationship with Germany, and is willing to use diplomacy

in order to achieve this end.

Russia

The U.K has developed an important friendship with Russia during the post-Cold

War period, creating a growing relationship between both states that has boosted
economic and political ties. The United Kingdom is the largest foreign investor in

Russia, especially investments into oil and gas extraction. As a result the U.K. and

Russia both desire close economic cooperation, especially regarding energy. The leaders

of both states have recognized the profound importance that a long-term bilateral

partnership holds for each. Also, Prime Minister Blair of the U.K. and President Putin of

Russia have a close, friendly personal relationship which has aided cooperation between

the nations, especially regarding military cooperation and discussions over global

security issues. Although the U.K. and Russia disagreed over the war in Iraq, any

damage to relations has been quickly erased due to the influence of strengthening

economic ties.

Japan

The United Kingdom views Japan as a friend, with British Foreign Minister Jack

Straw stating simply, “Britain and Japan have excellent bilateral relations.”1 Although

political and diplomatic are only moderately close, the U.K. and Japan both enjoy open

economic relations. These nearly seamless relations have prompted the U.K. to support

Japan’s bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

China

China is increasingly becoming a significantly important friend to the U.K.

Although political and diplomatic ties are not yet close, they are slowly strengthening.

The recent turnover of Hong Kong to China by Britain in 1998 has by necessity required

cooperation by both states, which has in turn fostered significant relations. The real

importance of U.K.-China affairs is the huge potential that economic cooperation holds

for both. In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in mutual investment by both
1
Xinhua News Agency. 29 April 2002.
states, and although British imports from China comprise a very small percentage of its

total (2.6% in 2001), they are quickly increasing.

Hungary

The U.K. is eager to build and strengthen ties to Hungary, a new fellow member

state of the EU, and a friend that is gaining importance. As a champion of enlargement of

the EU, the U.K. strongly supported Hungary’s joining the European Union. Over the

years since the end of the Cold War, Britain has pushed for the development of

commercial relations with Hungary, and continues to strengthen ties today.

Ukraine

The U.K. also seeks strengthened ties and trade to the Ukraine, with whom it

already has friendly relations. Britain and the Ukraine have begun to develop military

ties, having already participated in several joint military and peacekeeping exercises. As

bilateral relations improve, the U.K. is optimistic that economic and political ties will

grow.

India

As a fairly recent former colony of the United Kingdom, relations between India

and the U.K. are friendly, yet occasionally rocky as India asserts its independence in both

domestic and foreign affairs. The U.K. is interested primarily in fostering peace and

stability between India and Pakistan, another former colony, and will continue to build

bilateral relations with India in order to achieve this objective.

Pakistan

As another former British colony, relations between the U.K. and Pakistan are

friendly yet occasionally tense. The U.K. wants to use its diplomatic position in order to
help in defusing tensions and creating a lasting peace between Pakistan and India, two

nuclear powers. As a diplomatic bridge between the U.S. and the rest of the world the

U.K. is rewarding Pakistan for its cooperative role in the war on terror by making new

efforts to build defense relations and bilateral assistance in other areas. Britain hopes that

these relations will provide an impetus towards resolving Pakistan’s disputes with India.

Israel

Although relations between the U.K. and Israel are generally considered to be friendly, in

light of the ongoing dispute between Israel and Palestine, the U.K. has restrained its

bilateral relations with Israel in order to maintain neutrality. Although Britain is playing

a leading role in attempting to build a lasting peace in the Middle East, bilateral relations

with Israel have recently worsened due in part to Israel’s right-leaning government

spurning U.K. efforts toward peace, with senior Israeli leaders referring to British Prime

Minister Blair as a “hysterical Englishman.” This most likely comes in response to the

U.K. refusing to sideline Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat in the peace process,

as both Israel and the United States have done. The U.K. maintains that the exclusion of

Arafat is significantly blocking progress towards peace.

Palestine

The U.K. also maintains friendly relations with the Palestinian Authority, but attempts to

remain diplomatically neutral in order to aid the peace process. However, official U.K.

sympathy towards Palestine has grown in the wake of Israeli refusal to lift travel bans on

Palestinian delegates traveling to peace conferences held within the U.K. Also, Britain

officially opposes the Israeli construction of the security fence around the West Bank, and

holds that removal of this barrier is an essential step towards peace. The United
Kingdom will continue to maintain bilateral discussions with Palestine and Israel to aid

progress towards peace in the Middle East.

Syria

The U.K. has attempted to maintain friendly relations with Syria, but it has been rebuffed

and diplomatically embarrassed in these attempts, which has strained bilateral relations.

The U.K., however, has continued its efforts towards friendship because it views Syria as

a near-failed state that, if aided by British guidance, could play a strong role in resolving

the conflict in the Middle East. The U.K. has opposed Syria’s illicit importation of Iraqi

oil against U.N. sanctions before the fall of the Iraqi regime, as well as Syria’s support

and harboring of Palestinian terrorist groups.

Iran

While bilateral discussions between the United Kingdom and Iran occur regularly, Iran

could not be described as a “friend” of the U.K. due to several significant disputes. The

U.K. strongly opposes Iran’s current apparent attempt at development of a nuclear

weapons program, and through the EU has threatened trade penalties on Iran if it

continues non-compliance with nuclear proliferation treaties. Also, British Prime

Minister Tony Blair has recently openly supported anti-government demonstrators within

Iran, saying they were “fighting for freedom.” In spite of this, relations have recently

improved with British Foreign Minister Jack Straw making diplomatic trips to Iran in

order to learn Tehran’s interests in Iraq, as well as general Islamic interests in resolving

the Middle East conflict. During these discussions Straw also relayed strong pressure to

Iran to prevent its involvement in the rebuilding of Iraq, as well as to continue in its

efforts to staunch fundamentalist terrorism within Iran’s borders.

Disputes

The United Kingdom is currently engaged in several international disputes, which it

hopes can be resolved with diplomacy and equity in mind. These include:

-dispute with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Isles

-dispute with Denmark and Iceland over the rights to the Rockall continental shelf

-dispute over Gibraltar with Spain. Recently, a plan for shared sovereignty between the

U.K and Spain has been proposed.

-dispute over Britain’s Antarctic territorial claim, which overlaps those of Chile and

Argentina

The United Kingdom does not rely much upon the idiosyncratic tendencies of the

its leaders in the making and deliberation of its foreign policy. The role domestic

variable holds greater jurisdiction in the nation’s foreign policy. This is mostly because

of the structure of the United Kingdom’s executive branch. The branch consists of a

Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his own handpicked cabinet, each of which is assigned a

specific area in which they monitor. The idiosyncrasies of these leaders may come out,

but for the most part each must remain true to their role. An overview of the entire

branch, however, suggests that as a whole the Prime Minister’s idiosyncrasies are still

found because it is most likely that the cabinet leaders all reflect in some way the ideals

of the Prime Minister. In the end the role variable wins out in influencing foreign policy

most in the United Kingdom because of the Prime Minister’s ability to remove any

cabinet members who do not fulfill their duties, requiring the role to be played and not

one’s own beliefs. A similar situation is in place for the Prime Minister himself in that if

he does not live up to his role, he may face a vote of no confidence. The complexity of
the United Kingdom’s government and the nation’s age shift the country’s leaders to

follow in their roles rather than in their own beliefs.

The governmental domestic variable affects the foreign policy of the United

Kingdom much more so than does the societal domestic variable. This is mostly because

of the government structure. The United Kingdom is classified as a constitutional

monarchy. The country holds close to a democratic doctrine, and although its people do

have a say in government, in the end it is more likely that the executive branch will

determine the nation’s foreign policy standing. This is not to say that all of the United

Kingdom's foreign policy is determined solely based upon the government. Industry and

agriculture unions play a key role in the foreign policy as well. The Campaign for

Nuclear Disarmament is another societal variable that plays into the foreign policy

activity.

Finally, the systemic domestic variable plays a quite heavy factor in the United

Kingdom’s foreign policy activity. The gross domestic product in 2001 was about $1.47

trillion, one of the highest among all nations. This allows the United Kingdom greater

flexibility in creating their foreign policy, because unless a major action is taken, the

economic infrastructure will not change vastly. A majority of trade occurs between the

United Kingdom and members of the European Union and the United States. The United

Kingdom is also allied with these nations; therefore, it is unlikely that any of the trade

would cease. The United Kingdom is fairly self-sufficient when it comes to producing its

own food in agriculture; some 60% of its agriculture is produced with only 1% of its

labor force. Fuel sources are the only real resource limiting the ability of the United

Kingdom, therefore, it is important that the United Kingdom stay on good terms with its
fuel producing partners. The United Kingdom is not able to force it way with these

nations because of this. The communications system is considered to be well advanced

both domestically and internationally, therefore it can be assumed that this will not limit

the nation in any way when making foreign policy. A similar estimate can be made of the

transportation systems both internally and externally. The conventional military may be

smaller than many nations; however, it still has one of the highest military expenditures,

suggesting that the might of the military is greater than its size. The nuclear capability

also gives the United Kingdom a bit more leverage than non-nuclear nations; however, it

is highly unlikely that these will be used in a threatening manner to gain favor in the

foreign policy.

The United Kingdom has the power of the world’s fourth-largest economy

at its disposal as its primary resource in achieving its foreign policy goals. The economy

of the U.K. has become increasingly services-based, and growing electronic commerce

has linked the U.K. to countries around the world. The U.K. is truly at the forefront of

globalization, and has a profound interest in promoting free-trade practices and open

economies around the world. Britain is fairly reliant on other countries for its energy

resources, especially oil and gas, although the U.K. produces a moderate amount of the

latter. The U.K. is building strong trade relationships with states such as Russia, with

whom it deals in energy resources, in order to ensure the security of these important

commodities. The U.K. also is a world leader in pharmaceuticals, an industry that is not

especially resource dependent. With a shift away from a manufacturing economy to one

based upon services, especially in the financial sector, the U.K. has decreased its

dependency upon the resources of other states.

 The U.K. is currently enjoying a period of moderate yet steady economic

expansion, with a GDP growth rate of 2.8% over the last decade. This growth has given

Britain an improved hand in foreign relations. However, the services-based economy of

the U.K. is highly dependent upon the success of the overall global economy and the

institution of free trade practices around the world. Any decrease in globalization could

hurt the U.K.’s ability to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

Although the U.K. spends a relatively small amount on its military, 2.32% of its

GDP in 2002, or nearly $36 billion (US), its military is known as a highly trained,

sophisticated force. The U.K. is ranked sixth in the world for military spending, and its

military is comprised of its Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force. In 2002, the

manpower of the British armed forces was approximately 213,000. In addition, the U.K.

has a small but highly advanced nuclear arsenal. Production of nuclear weapons is

currently halted, but the U.K. possesses the technology to easily resume production.

As a means of achieving foreign policy objectives over a wide range of issues, the

U.K. has historically been a strong advocate of multi-lateral organizations such as the

United Nations, the European Union, and NATO. The U.K. will continue to support

these organizations as its primary method of enacting its foreign policy goals, although

bilateral relations are also significantly important to the U.K.

The UK is the fourth largest economy in the world and one of the most powerful,

with a seat on the United Nation’s Security Council. However, it is not a superpower, and

it’s felt quite a decline in its power throughout the last few centuries. Great Britain no

longer controls an empire. The result is a legacy of power, which can be seen in the

power of nations like the US, nations that the United Kingdom has strong ties to, and in
the widespread use of the English language. The United Kingdom’s real power now lies

in a carefully carved nook as a broker between the US and Europe, and an enthusiastic

supporter of International Organizations and law.

As a result of declines in overall power and influence, attempts at invoking a

sense of nationalism and national pride were very important for the last half of the

twentieth century. And, as with all nations, in times where the health or power of their

nation is under attack or in doubt, nationalism can play an important role within the

United Kingdom. Nationalism has also been important in emphasizing common ties

between the four components of the UK- England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern

Ireland. However, other than a basic amount of national pride for the history of their

nation, and a desire to see it continue to play a prominent role, the UK public doesn’t

show a great deal of nationalism. Emphasis is placed on ideology- expanding the reaches

of democracy and capitalism, expanding the role of an international community, and

making the UK and the world a better place. The emphasis on ideology is largely a result

of the fact that most of the United Kingdom’s power in modern times is based on it’s

involvement in international affairs, an involvement that places emphasis on international

cooperation and ideals, not nationalism.

United Kingdom Regional and International Organizations

AfDB African Development Bank

ANZUS Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand, and the United
States
APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
ARF ASEAN Regional Forum
AsDB Asian Development Bank
ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Australia Group Chemical and Biological Weapons Disarmament Group
BIS Bank for International Settlements
CCC Customs Cooperation Council
CE (observer) Council of Europe
CERN (observer) European Organization for Nuclear Research
CP Colombo Plan
EAPC European Association of Political Consultants
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ECE Economic Commission for Europe
ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
EU European Union
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
G-8 Group of 8
G-5 Group of 5
G-7 Group of 7
G-10 Group of 10
IADB Inter-American Development Bank
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
IBRB International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
ICC International Chamber of Commerce
ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
ICRM International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
IDA International Development Association
IEA International Energy Agency
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFRCS International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IHO International Hydrographic Organization
ILO International Labor Organization
IMF International Monetary Fund
IMO International Maritime Organization
Interpol International Criminal Police Organization
IOC International Olympic Committee
IOM International Organization for Migration
ISO International Organization for Standardization
ITU International Telecommunication Union
MINURSO United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
MIPONUH United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti
NAM (guest) Nonaligned Movement
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NEA Nuclear Energy Agency
NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group
OAS Organization of American States
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
OPCW Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
OSCE Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe
PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration
SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community
UN United Nations
UN Security Council United Nations Security Council
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNHCR United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees
UNIKOM United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission
UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research
UNMEE United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
UNMIBH United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
UNMIK United Nations Mission in Kosovo
UNMOVIC United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection
Commission
UNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in
the Near East
UNTAET United Nations Transitional Administration In East Timor
UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
UNU United Nations University
UPU Universal Postal Union
WCL World Confederation of Labor
WHO World Health Organization
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization
WMO World Meteorological Organization
WtrO World Trade Organization
ZC Zangger Committee (nuclear weapons of mass destruction control)

The UK takes a large role in the UN and shows a great interest in many economic

organizations, both on the international level and on a more regional level within Europe

and on other continents. Much interest in supporting developing nations lies in the UK’s

desire to benefit from the resources these nations have and are willing to trade with the

UK in return for economic and military support if need be. Another interesting point

would be the UK’s involvement in many weapons control organizations. The UK is

taking a stand against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in order to promote

peace.

When compared to most other countries, the UK is involved in many more

organizations and tends to be more involved within these organizations. Since the UK
takes such an established role in international and regional organizations, it is typical that

the UK has more to lose or gain from the decisions made, and thus it will remain an

integral part to the decision making of these organizations.

On the regional level the UK is a member of the European Union along with

fifteen other European nations and more soon to come. The organization is multipurpose

with hopes to integrate the economy, society, and borders into one group decision.

Besides belonging to political organizations, the UK is also involved unilaterally

with other nations as well. Many embassies between the UK and other nations are found

in both countries, but some relationships run deeper. The UK has major alliances with

most every democratic nation including the United States and its neighbors, Western

Europe, Australia, New Zealand. The alliances with these nations run deep as they all

have language and culture in common and a history of supporting each other militarily if

necessary. Political organizations such as NATO also serve as alliances between the UK

and other nations, and typically the UK’s allies are all allies as well.
i
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