Date of Graduation
Winter 12-14-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
International Studies
First Advisor
Olivier Bercault
Abstract
The EU Referendum of June 2016 marked a watershed moment for the United Kingdom, as it sought to once again reassert its sovereignty and retake its place in the world as an independent state, free from European Union infringement. The British are usually seen as the cussid ones in Europe, stubbornly holding on to their principles and traditions of sovereignty. But why is that? Carefully tracing UK history, particularly from the end of the Second World War to the present day, it becomes understandable why the result of the 2016 referendum should not be quite a surprise. Studying events in Britain post-1945 that helped shape British understanding of sovereignty, framing Brexit as it relates to sovereignty, and a brief analysis of media coverage, gives us a view as to why Britain voted for Brexit and why the British are uniquely so in Europe.
Recommended Citation
Brandt, Jeffrey, "It Could Never Last: Why British sovereignty and its influence since 1945 resulted in Brexit" (2018). Master's Theses. 1165.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1165
Included in
European History Commons, International Relations Commons, Other International and Area Studies Commons, Other Political Science Commons, Political History Commons, Political Theory Commons
