History
Historically, Great Britain pursued a foreign policy of "splendid isolation." This meant that the cornerstone of British policy was to specifically avoid entangling, long-term alliances with any country. Instead, it enjoyed good trade relations with certain countries, such as Holland, Denmark and Portugal, and found military alliances of convenience when required. This policy began to change with the Triple Entente, the alliance formed by France, Russia, and Great Britain to oppose the growing might of Germany in the early 20th century. This was the alliance that, later joined by the United States, fought the First World War and then the Second. Following the end of the Second World War, British alliances were dictated by the dual demands of the Cold War and Britain's shattered economy and decline from Great Power to "middleweight" status.
Significance
The United Kingdom has the world's fifth-largest economy. It is also one of the handful of nuclear powers in the world, and one of exactly three countries capable of projecting military power around the world in any meaningful sense. It is therefore a key player in world affairs, and a valued ally to its friends in world affairs. It is one of the most important countries in the group of generally friendly, mutually-supportive western industrialized democracies, and this standing is best symbolized by the country's place in the G7.
Historically, Great Britain pursued a foreign policy of "splendid isolation." This meant that the cornerstone of British policy was to specifically avoid entangling, long-term alliances with any country. Instead, it enjoyed good trade relations with certain countries, such as Holland, Denmark and Portugal, and found military alliances of convenience when required. This policy began to change with the Triple Entente, the alliance formed by France, Russia, and Great Britain to oppose the growing might of Germany in the early 20th century. This was the alliance that, later joined by the United States, fought the First World War and then the Second. Following the end of the Second World War, British alliances were dictated by the dual demands of the Cold War and Britain's shattered economy and decline from Great Power to "middleweight" status.
Significance
The United Kingdom has the world's fifth-largest economy. It is also one of the handful of nuclear powers in the world, and one of exactly three countries capable of projecting military power around the world in any meaningful sense. It is therefore a key player in world affairs, and a valued ally to its friends in world affairs. It is one of the most important countries in the group of generally friendly, mutually-supportive western industrialized democracies, and this standing is best symbolized by the country's place in the G7.
Function
Britain enjoys close relations with the United States, independent of their mutual treaty bonds with Europe as a whole. Indeed, the Anglo-American alliance is the most important bilateral relationship either country has, and is often termed "the special relationship." Although there have been lapses in the alliance over the last six decades, there is little doubt that in a real crisis, the two countries would be practically joined at the hip.
The Anglo-American relationship is the foremost example of the relations enjoyed by Britain with the entire English-speaking world. Great Britain shares the Queen of England as the Head of State with Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Canada and Great Britain are tied together militarily through NATO, and Australia and New Zealand are both members of the British Commonwealth, with close cultural, economic and security ties. The relationship with Ireland is generally friendly, but non-military--therefore Ireland cannot strictly speaking be counted upon as an ally.
Features
Great Britain is one of the leading countries of Europe, and a member of both the European Union and NATO. Although not a part of the group of countries using the Euro as currency, they are firmly embedded in the economy of the EU. Militarily, Britain is arguably the strongest country in Europe, rivaled only by France. All the countries of Europe, and Western Europe in particular, are counted as allies of Britain to varying degrees. The UK is also a guarantor state of Cyprus, and therefore militarily aligned with the Greek Cypriot government.
Misconceptions
Great Britain is also the center of the British Commonwealth, an international organization made up of former British colonies. This gives Britain a great deal of special influence with is former colonies, and therefore influence in Africa and Asia, but strictly speaking the Commonwealth is not an alliance, and membership in it does not make one an ally of Britain. For example, of the 53 nations in the organization, only a dozen and a half retain the Queen as Head of State. Commonwealth members Fiji and Zimbabwe have been suspended from the organization, and British relations with Zimbabwe border on hostile. Any allies Britain has within the Commonwealth (such as Canada or Australia) are due to their bilateral relations, and not based on the Commonwealth.
Of the non-English speaking Commonwealth countries, India is Britain's closest ally. The two countries are joined by mutual economic and cultural interests and defense cooperation agreements.
Britain enjoys close relations with the United States, independent of their mutual treaty bonds with Europe as a whole. Indeed, the Anglo-American alliance is the most important bilateral relationship either country has, and is often termed "the special relationship." Although there have been lapses in the alliance over the last six decades, there is little doubt that in a real crisis, the two countries would be practically joined at the hip.
The Anglo-American relationship is the foremost example of the relations enjoyed by Britain with the entire English-speaking world. Great Britain shares the Queen of England as the Head of State with Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Canada and Great Britain are tied together militarily through NATO, and Australia and New Zealand are both members of the British Commonwealth, with close cultural, economic and security ties. The relationship with Ireland is generally friendly, but non-military--therefore Ireland cannot strictly speaking be counted upon as an ally.
Features
Great Britain is one of the leading countries of Europe, and a member of both the European Union and NATO. Although not a part of the group of countries using the Euro as currency, they are firmly embedded in the economy of the EU. Militarily, Britain is arguably the strongest country in Europe, rivaled only by France. All the countries of Europe, and Western Europe in particular, are counted as allies of Britain to varying degrees. The UK is also a guarantor state of Cyprus, and therefore militarily aligned with the Greek Cypriot government.
Misconceptions
Great Britain is also the center of the British Commonwealth, an international organization made up of former British colonies. This gives Britain a great deal of special influence with is former colonies, and therefore influence in Africa and Asia, but strictly speaking the Commonwealth is not an alliance, and membership in it does not make one an ally of Britain. For example, of the 53 nations in the organization, only a dozen and a half retain the Queen as Head of State. Commonwealth members Fiji and Zimbabwe have been suspended from the organization, and British relations with Zimbabwe border on hostile. Any allies Britain has within the Commonwealth (such as Canada or Australia) are due to their bilateral relations, and not based on the Commonwealth.
Of the non-English speaking Commonwealth countries, India is Britain's closest ally. The two countries are joined by mutual economic and cultural interests and defense cooperation agreements.
