Eurosceptic Economics

Britain's relationship with the European Union has never been straightforward.Edward Heath negotiated British membership but his successorHarold Wilson cited it as the cause of economic stagnation. MargaretThatcher famously fought with her handbag for a massive rebate paymentand though John Major wanted to put Britian 'at the heart of Europe' henearly losts his job over an opt-out from the Maastricht treaty. Tony Blaircame to power with hopes of taking Britain into the Euro but his enthusiasmwas blocked by the 'five tests' of his Chancellor Gordon Brown. Popular perceptionspit Anglo-Saxon neo-liberal economics against the European 'socialmodel' where the former has no social conscience whilst the latter seekssocial justice as part of economic stability. If Britain cares about the gap betweenits richest and its poorest citizens then surely closer alignment with theEU would make for popular politics - but no: euroscepticism is a strongtrend in British political life entrenched in the political establishment thetabloid press and in the myths of Britishness embedded in the national consciousness.This book is addressed to all those with an interest in the politicalsettlement Britain makes with its neighbours in the EU and across the atlanticbut particularly to students and researchers in the area of politicsEuropean Studies and international relations.