Wielka Brytania we Wspólnotach Europejskich i Unii Europejskiej
Britain in the European Communities and European Union

Summary/Abstract: The relationship between Britain and Europe has always been strained. Europe has been seen as a menace rather than an opportunity. Britain used to slow down the process of integration and con-sequently has often fallen behind and had no choice but to catch up. However, the portrayal of Britain as an “awkward partner” is only partly justified. Based on its specific understanding of national sovereignty, Britain has developed a much more pragmatic and instrumental approach towards Europe. Nevertheless, the country was a strong driving force of integration in many crucial fields, like the single market or trade policy. Britain has always accepted its membership in the European Communities only when exclusion from them could threaten Britain’s national interest, mainly in the economic dimension. Thus Britain’s membership in the Communities has always been selective. Britain decided to join the European Communities mainly because of its poor economic performance in the beginning of the 1960s.

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