British foreign policy in the 21st century: priorities and challenges

• Journal: Global Academic Society Journal: Social Science Insight, Vol. 2, No. 7, year 2009, pp. 41-54.
• Author(s): Kristina Prišmantaitė
• Category: Social Science Insight II
• Keywords: foreign policy, Prime Minister, Britain, United States, European Union (EU), special relationship

Abstract

The United Kingdom is one of the main European countries which seek to make an influence on international politics. The paper proposes two different points of view towards the existing directions of British foreign policy: the European dimension and transatlantic relations. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to define if the United Kingdom gives a preference in its foreign policy to the “special relationship” with the United States or its role's strengthening in the European Union. The impact of British Prime Minister on choosing the direction of foreign policy is discussed and the main goals that New Labour declares are defined in the paper. Although the United Kingdom shows efforts to strengthen its role in the European Union, it seems that the “special relationship” with the United States still remains a priority in British foreign policy. For this reason the main challenge for Britain is to make a right decision choosing the direction of foreign policy which would help British to implement its national interests effectively. The priorities in British foreign policy relatively depend on Britain's declared goals in international politics.