Basic political factors influencing Great Britain's European Community policy

Abstract

The subject of the thesis are the major political f.'clc.s influencing the British European policy. The study tests the assumption that national systems are the main determinants of European policy. ^mong the domestic political factors the government and political parties are the dominant actors together with th? partly influential interest groups and highly volatile public opinion. Moreover, the British European policy is constrained by tlie special relationships with the United States and to a h;sser degree by the Commonwealth relations. To conclude, the British experience in Uie EC' is illust rate 1 in two major areas of the Common Agricultural Policy and the European Political Cooperation. Consequently, the conclusion confirms the assumption that th:? British EC policy is almost a reflection of its domestic politics and concerns.