Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Big_Bird]

The British public is regularly told that we enjoy a special relationship with the US, and made to feel that the US and Britain are a special couple, different from other relationships. The author of the quoted artcle argues this is not the case. I'm curious of what others think about it.

[yushin]

I"m (not "British but English") and I absolutely detest "Yanks" ... for God's sake stop using "British" there is no such thing except on our crappy passports we all hate each others guts as well...

[Big_Bird]

Well, I am English and British. I don't feel any animosity toward Scotland or Wales. In fact, I can't relate to your feeling on the matter, although I know it's sadly becoming more fashionable.

[safeblad]

I voted yes... Its a long time since Suez

[Big_Bird]

I voted not sure. I wonder if it's wishful thinking - yes wishful thinking for me too, because I think it would be great if it were true (I'm not quite the US hater some here would like me to be).

[safeblad]

I think to say that the Britain has as much in common with Sweden as America is certainly pushing it, the fact that a wasp elite is still the driving force in America does a lot to unify our two countries. Though it goes much deeper than that culturally.

To use the examples of Iraq and Afghanistan to say that there isn�t a special relationship also doesn�t really work. The alliance is going through tough times at the moment, one thing is certain though, whether you agree with the policies of the current administration or not, what will happen is that we will stick it out together. The alliance has taken a PR hit at the moment because of Iraq but it will not stay this way for ever.

There seem to be two paths at the moment for the UK, America and Europe, it isn�t really clear whether UK politics is actually compatible with either, there isnt too much Neocon or Christian democrat style politics going on the UK. Certainly the Maggie- Reagan partnership worked a lot better.

The transatlantic alliance enables the UK to act in a mini style of splendid isolation when it comes to Europe which is useful.

What we have now is similar to Churchill�s dream of the English Speaking peoples marching forward together�.but� Britain doesn�t have an Empire anymore so got the short end of the stick.

At least in Britain we know who our friends are ( they aren�t in France). That�s what�s important.

[yushin]

yeah I agree...f**K Europe and f**k America!! really joining the EU was the worst thing that happened to us...maybe not economically but for the way we were...ok maybe I'm just being nostalgic here but I feel NO affinity for Europe at all and even less for America...but I can relate to Australia, Canada, NZ, South Africa etc...

[LuckyNomad]

The special relationship, if that's what you want to call it, started about 1823, when the US decided that it was not going to challenge Britain's dominance, and that it was best to work within the British World System.
From the early 20th century up to 1945, Britain pretty much saw the writing on the wall and decided that a world dominated by America was better than any other possible alternative.
The reason Britain anchored itself to the US was not to become subordinate to the US but so that it would have leverage on US decision making and keep itself relavent.

Taking into account that Germany is reunified and cozying up to the US and that the America's focus has moved toward Asia, I'd say Britain/England/UK will continue to try and tie itself to the US.
America seems to be trying to turn India into its new #1 pal.

[yushin]

hmmm...if that's the case I'd say they have a lot of work to do...but we didn't boost our image (with the Indians) with the jellybeans the other day...ha ha..