The process of European integration is a special and perhaps unique development in the history of international politics after the end of World War two. Due to numerous steps of integration it came gradually to an ever progressive interdependence of nation-states of the European continent, economically as institutionally. National states are partly delegating sovereign competences to supranational institutions, which possess own and independent competences. But what leads to this development? Why are states willing to transfer competences to the EU? In international politics different integration theories are used to explain the different steps of integration and at long last the ratification of treaties between states. One of these integrations steps is the Treaty of Maastricht.
The implementation of the Maastricht Treaty, being signed on 7th of February 1992 and entering into force on November 1th 1993, is considered as official founding of the European Union, expanding the European Economic Community created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957. But before the official signing of the treaty by first 12 nation- states a tedious unification process was necessary, which is to be examined in the present study looking at the foreign policy of Great Britain.
Regarding the political development of the European community, Great Britain has always played a special role throughout the history of the European integration process. Its foreign policy differentiates oneself from other European national states and is characterized by a certain Euro-sceptic attitude. This is not reflected only by Britain’s late entry into the European Community in 1973, but also by the largest integration step since founding the European Community, which is the Maastricht Treaty. Britain first opposed nearly every policy covered by the Treaty, but indulged on certain points during the negotiations.
Therefore, overlooking the foreign policy of Great Britain the question raises: “Why agreed Great Britain, despite its skeptical attitude towards a common Europe, on the Maastricht Treaty?” Using the integration theory of Liberal Intergovernmentalism by Andrew Moravcsik, this question will be analyzed in the present study.
First the most relevant facts about the theory will be pointed out, before examining the content of the Maastricht Treaty itself. Finally, there is to be an application of the theory to the case of the UK and the Maastricht Treaty.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Liberal Intergovernmentalism
2.1 Rationalist Framework
2.2 Criticism
3. The Treaty on European Union
3.1 Great Britain and the Maastricht Treaty
4. Summary
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
This study examines the foreign policy of Great Britain regarding the Maastricht Treaty through the lens of Andrew Moravcsik’s theory of Liberal Intergovernmentalism. It addresses the central research question of why Great Britain, despite its historically Euro-skeptical stance, ultimately agreed to the treaty and how domestic preferences and interstate bargaining shaped this outcome.
- Application of the Liberal Intergovernmentalist framework to European integration.
- Analysis of British national preference formation regarding the European Community.
- Examination of the negotiation process and bargaining power dynamics.
- Evaluation of the role of economic interests and sovereignty concerns in British policy.
- Assessment of the impact of the Maastricht Treaty on the UK's position in Europe.
Excerpt from the Publication
3.1 Great Britain and the Maastricht Treaty
In the following, the foreign policy of Great Britain shall be analyzed on terms of the Maastricht Treaty as seen from the perspective of Liberal Intergovernmentalism. Thereby it will be worked out which national preferences were formed in Britain, how the British government has negotiated on European level and finally how it eventually came to an agreement and the Treaty on European Union
Among experts, but also in the British press itself, the British policy towards Europe is described as a kind of pathological learning path (cp. Sturm 2009: 207). First of all the general attitude of British politicians towards a deepening of European integration is almost intuitively refusing. But usually they quickly realize that there is no way past a common Europe and that an adjustment to European policy positions is necessary (cp. Sturm 2009: 207). Unlike many other states Great Britain does not see the expansion of European power as competition for the United States or Japan, but rejects the idea of federalism categorically. National sovereignty, from British perspective, has priority over European integration (cp. Volle 1994: 385). The United Kingdom and the states of the European continent have drawn different lessons from history. The Germans, as well as the French and other nations, learned from World War One that peace and prosperity can only be guaranteed by overcoming nationalism and through a common Europe. The British, however, are convinced that they owe only their nationalism and their patriotic bravery, survival during World War II. Moreover, the only partner coming to help was America and not Europe (cp. Leithäuser 2008: 10 qtd. in Sturm 2009: 209). The main argument of the EU- opponents has been the fear that the sovereignty of British Parliament, deciding on all domestic affairs of the country, could be undermined by transferring competences to supranational institutions of the EU (cp. Sturm 2009: 211- 212). The basic idea of a deepening of European integration was first only welcomed by the Liberal Democrats. Labour and Conservatives on the other side were skeptical about any further integration for a long time (cp. Sturm 2009: 213).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the research question regarding Great Britain's participation in the Maastricht Treaty and outlines the methodological approach using Liberal Intergovernmentalism.
2. Liberal Intergovernmentalism: Explains the theoretical foundations of Moravcsik’s "grand theory," focusing on national preference formation, interstate bargaining, and institutional choice.
2.1 Rationalist Framework: Details the three-stage model of international cooperation, emphasizing how states act as rational, unitary actors to secure their preferences.
2.2 Criticism: Discusses limitations of the theory, particularly regarding its ability to explain everyday decision-making processes within the European Union.
3. The Treaty on European Union: Provides an overview of the treaty's content, the three-pillar structure, and the move from an Economic Union to a Political Union.
3.1 Great Britain and the Maastricht Treaty: Applies the theory to the British case, analyzing how domestic pressure, economic priorities, and bargaining tactics led to specific opt-outs.
4. Summary: Concludes that British participation was a result of smart bargaining and strategic compromises, despite lingering Euro-skepticism.
Keywords
Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Maastricht Treaty, Great Britain, European Integration, National Sovereignty, Andrew Moravcsik, Economic and Monetary Union, Foreign Policy, Bargaining Power, European Community, Political Union, Euro-skepticism, Institutional Choice, Rationalist Framework, Opt-out clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper investigates why Great Britain decided to join the Maastricht Treaty despite a historically skeptical and Euro-critical political environment.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The study centers on the Liberal Intergovernmentalist theory, British foreign policy, national sovereignty, and the negotiation dynamics of the European Union in the early 1990s.
What is the primary research question?
The author seeks to answer: "Why agreed Great Britain, despite its skeptical attitude towards a common Europe, on the Maastricht Treaty?"
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper uses the theoretical framework of Liberal Intergovernmentalism, specifically applying Andrew Moravcsik’s three-stage model of international cooperation.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section details the theory of Liberal Intergovernmentalism, the structure of the Maastricht Treaty, and a deep-dive analysis of British domestic and international negotiations.
Which keywords define this work?
Key concepts include Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Maastricht Treaty, European integration, British sovereignty, and bargaining power.
How did John Major influence the negotiation process?
John Major utilized the country's political possibilities to enforce British interests and was instrumental in navigating domestic pressure while maintaining an active role in negotiations.
What role did the "opt-out" clause play for Britain?
The opt-out clause allowed Britain to remain involved in the European Union while avoiding specific policies like the common social protocol, which satisfied domestic critics and protected specific economic interests.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Franziska Wegener (Autor:in), 2015, Great Britain's path to the Maastricht Treaty. A Liberal Intergovernmental Approach, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/323301
