昆明理工大学《英美文化》课程期末论文（2012级）论文题目：Science and Society——The Influence Factors of British Foreign Policy专业：民商法学学院：法学院姓名：周颖健学号： 2012212033 指导老师：梁庆峰填写日期： 2013年6月20日AbstractWe often say that foreign policy is a country in dealing with international affairs ,foreign relations and in diplomatic activities should follow the basic principles and action guidelines.Especially in today‟s world,the growing trend of economic globalization ,the quick development of science and technology and the increase the transnational activities brings not only opportunities but also challenges for developing nations to rejuvenate their economy.So,as a sovereign state must interact with other countries and international organizations.Through assessment and investigation of reality, countries to make a series of foreign policies and want to achieve maximize the benefits in the international cooperations.Look back at British diplomatic history, we can clearly see the modern Britain's foreign policy has through a process of changes,whether it is actively join international organizations , increase of military force , or gradually changing the Anglo-American “special relationship” to the “natural relationship”,these policies all have their own unique reasons.This paper is based on modern British foreign policy, and then analysis the influence factors .Key words: British foreign policy；change,influence factorsChapter one：How to make Britain’s foreign policyThe general direction of Britain‟s foreign policy is mainly decided by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office , the main government department, plays a significant role in the making of Britain‟s foreign policy. At the same time,many other government ministries, such as the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade ,Industry and the Treasury also play a part in formulating and carrying out t he government‟s decisions. But an extremely influential player in Britain‟s foreign policy is the Treasury[1](The Treasury makes decisions on how much money other departments can have each year).Chapter two : The modern British foreign policyNowadays, Britain actively participate the world affairs, it was setting up the United Nations，and the UK is the permanent member of the UN Security Council.The UK participation in international organizations, and is a member of 120 international organizations such as the the European Union, the Western European Union,from the global diplomatic gradual transition into the European - dominated diplomatic relations. Britain advocates develop relationship with American and pay more attention to get along well with other big countries.Especially advocate improve the relation with China, Russia and Japan. The British keep and strengthen its military power and promote cooperation withother countries in protecting environment, world development, free economic trade and human rights. In my opinion, the influence factors of Britain's foreign policy include historical, economic, and geopolitical and psychological factors.Chapter three: Historical factor influence on modern British foreign policyBefore the 20th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has rely on it‟s own powerful military and economic to built a strong nation which called “the empire upon which the sun never sets ”. Its colonies almost covers a quarter of regions in the world.At that time the British government disdain to specialized in energy and capital on foreign relations.But after the two world wars,Britain could no longer maintain its empire because on the one hand the wars caused a great damage to the economy and military,on the other hand most colonies started to fight against the UK‟s colonial domination and wanted became an independent states just like Canada,Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and India .The end of the British Empire left the UK a medium-sized European country[2].In order to fill the political control weakening,the British had to change the original “splendid isolation ”policy(光荣孤立政策).So,Britain participated in a number of important international Institutions to maintain its strong force in the world affairs.Britain join the United Nations(UN) and become one of the 5permanent members of the UN Security Council,which give Britain the abilities to have influence on world affairs.Chapter four :Anglo-American relation influence on the modern British foreign policyThe major factor which influences British foreign policy is its “special relationship” with the United State of Ame rica . The UK and the USA were closely allied during World War II and continued now,because the two countries have same worried about USSR,and they have a common language and culture,the most important thing is that both countries can gained mutual benefit in the capitalist market.However ,the “special relationship”with the USA has gone through many ups and downs.The important example is the 1956 Suez Crisis.Although the Suez Canal crisis make the relationship between the us and UK produces cracks, but still can be said “special relationship”.But in the late 60 s and 70‟s, due to the Sterling fell sharply,Britain did not to send troops to Vietnam,and the UK eventually joined the European Economic Community ,American and British special relationship has has been greatly weakened and gradually transformed into “natural relationship”. Now Britain advocates develop relationship with American and pay more attention to get along well with other big countries[3].Chapter five :Economic factors influence on the modern British foreign policyThe UK‟s economic interests and diplomatic strategy need to europeanization，and this is a fundamental reason to Promote the British foreign policy focus to Europe . After the war,British‟s economy slowly develop,but the European Economic Community(EEC)help Germany,and Italy's economic strength began to develop rapidly,which give Britain experiences that European states should work together to progress and keep peace.In order to seek a way out of the UK‟s economic recession and make full use of the EEC to provide the export market,Britain joined the EEC in 1973(EEC has been called European Union since 1993).And then the UK joined the Commonwealth of nations and other regional economic organizations,so Britain can develop a good relationship with these countries, which can give Britain more power in the world. Now, the Britain economy ranks about sixth in the world.Chapter six :Geopolitics(地缘政治) and National identity(民族认同感) influence on the modern British foreign policyThe geopolitical strategy theory is the theory base of British foreign policy and global strategy.As Britain is an island, it has created a sense of isolation in its subjects, which results in Britain‟s schizophrenic attitude to Europe[4].On the Security and Defence Policy,Britain spends more money on defence than most other developed nations and its is the 3rd largest spender in the world and is ranked 5th or 6th in terms of its military power.The presence of superpower bases in Britain,andparticipation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO was set up in 1949).At the same time, we cannot ignore the factors of the national identity also can influence British foreign policy too. Even though Britain no longer is the biggest empire in the world and powerful enough to act independently in the world,but the British people still believe that UK also has a big influence on the international economy and international order.Wh en British‟s government make the foreign policy,it a lways to protect their own national characters as the policy choices and principles[5].The chief objectives of UK‟s the foreign policy are to enhance its security and prosperity at home and protect its interests in the international cooperation. Its foreign policies make Britain still keep its important position in the world affairs.References[1] 盛红生,英国政治发展与对外政策[M]，世界知识出版社，第281页[2] 刘亚莉，英国对外政策的新挑调整[J]，世界经济与政治论坛，2004年第三期[3] Robin Niblett，Choosing between America and Europe: a new context for British foreign policy[J],International Affairs,2007,V ol.83(4), pp.627-641[4] Pascal Venier,The geographical pivot of history and early twentieth century geopolitical culture[J],Geographical Journal, 2004, V ol.170 (4), pp.330-336[5]Daphne Halikio-poulouan,Sofia Vasilopoulou,Towards a …Civic‟ Narrative: British National Identity and the Transformation of the British National Party[J],The Political Quarterly,2010, V ol.81 (4), pp.583-592。