Which international relationship is of greater importance to the United Kingdom: that with the USA or Europe?

Question

Hi I have an essay question of: Which international relationship is of greater importance to the United Kingdom: that with the USA or Europe?

I have ended it like this:

The relationship with America can be said to be of greater importance historically and military and the relationship with Europe can be said to be of greater importance economically, the question is whether to make home with America or with Brussels.

Has anyone got any ideas I can add to improve it? Thanx.

Answer 1

i like your ending but you may want to add that in 1956 the usa tried to bankrupt britain over the suez canal issue and the cia were connected with a potential plot to overthrow harold wilson as british prime minister in the 60s as they didnt like his socialist stance(and he wouldnt help them in vietnam). also we are culturaly more like europe, the usa dont like football they dont even call it football! in terms of military i think our relationship with europe is more important because they dont get us involved in illegal wars, and on a historical point you could mention that our oldest allies are portugal. oh maybe also mention the american funding of the IRA in the 80's

Answer 2

Nowadays, the relationship is of virtually equal importance, but for your essay I would point out that the UK was vetoed twice by France for EU membership because of its close ties to the US. Basically, France feared that the UK would somehow "Americanize" the EU and bring in filthy precepts like free market economics and a strong work ethic.

No disrespect to our French (German, Belgian, Dutch, etc) friends, but this is the absolute truth of it. I think the UK compliments the EU - it brings balance to the union. Quite honestly, if the UK wasn't a member, I imagine the EU would have a 20 hour work week, everybody would have eight or ten weeks holiday; European industry would fail and the European economy would be a complete basket-case. The US model is imperfect ("true" capitalism doesn't work; it is a recipe for bloody revolution) but it has its attractions - an educated but flexible workforce, high productivity and low inflation, a freer market regime which results in good corporate health and national wealth and tax receipts, and partnerships between business and labor.

The middle ground is always the best, and without some "Americanism", there probably wouldn't be a middle ground in the EU and unemployment would be hovering around 30-40%.

Answer 3

The UK is the mother of the US. The Euro nations are the nasty cousins.

The US entered two world wars in the 20th century because they wanted to save their mother (England). The cousins were also saved as a result. The mother appreciated it, the cousins did not.

Answer 4

Europe because we have become like Frankenstein or Jurassic park

Answer 5

you might want to add your historical claim on this former colony.