Abstract
Advancing the literature on status in world politics, this article argues that Brexit generated status insecurity for the UK. In order to deal with the consequences of the shock represented by Brexit, the UK sought to address status insecurity in two ways. Firstly, it pursued more modes of engagement with European security simultaneously. It continued to play a leadership role in NATO, and it deepened bilateral cooperation with individual European countries. Secondly, it also articulated its willingness to be treated differently to any other third party by advancing ‘Global Britain’ as a framework for post-Brexit foreign policy, opening up space for involvement in EU defence initiatives. Nevertheless, this article argues that the UK faces the challenge of having to work more for less in the short term, without recognition by the EU of a status beyond third party for the UK. The implications of this are discussed.
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Notes
The Chequers paper was published following a two-year long process undertaken by former Prime Minister Theresa May to build consensus within her government on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. For an overview of the development of UK government’s negotiating position towards the EU see Whitman (2019).
The Berlin Plus agreement was reached between the EU and NATO in December 2002. It defined protocols aimed at granting the EU access to NATO assets and capabilities for EU-led crisis management operations.
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Acknowledgements
An earlier version of this article was presented at the BISA Annual Convention in London on 13 June 2019. I thank the anonymous referees for their useful comments and suggestions. I am also grateful to Mark Webber, Andrea Locatelli and Richard Whitman for their insights and remarks on previous versions of the article. Thanks to Michele Fox for her research and editorial assistance. Thanks are also due to Emma Cladi for her constant support and encouragement. The usual disclaimer applies.
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Cladi, L. Doing more for less? Status insecurity and the UK’s contribution to European security after Brexit. Int Polit 58, 919–936 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-021-00292-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-021-00292-6