Between Europe And America

British politics has been crucially shaped by England's role as pioneer of capitalism, by the experience of Empire, and by the particular form of its union with Scotland, Ireland and Wales. With the decline of Empire the attempt to bridge Europe and America has become ever more central to Britain's identity, political economy and ideology.

In this major new book, Andrew Gamble assesses the major transformations of British politics under Thatcher and Blair and the stark choices for the future at the start of the 21st century. Winner of the W. J. M. Mackenzie Prize for best book published in political science in 2003. Review: 'Like a soaring distress flare, Andrew Gamble's new book throws sudden and merciless light on the shipwreck of British policies.

The English imperial state, drifting rudderless since the humiliations of the Iraq crisis, is about to hit the reef which it has tried to avoid for so long: the choice between European identity and the American special relationship. Gamble reveals what may happen to the passengers - and what illusions and misreadings of the chart over so many years deceived the crew.' - Neal Ascheson 'Scholarly, readable, well-reasoned and full of insights, Between Europe and America captures the defining question about British politics in the early 21st century.

Building on his earlier writings about the British state, Andrew Gamble is superbly equipped to probe both the domestic and the geo-political implications of the choice that has to be made.' - Hugo Young [A] brilliant analysis of the long historical roots of Britain's ambiguous attitude to the EU.' - John Rentoul, The Independent '[A] readable and critical synthesis linking together not only domestic and international developments but also past and present as a foundation for articulating future possibilities...a recommended read for staff and students seeking a broad view of contemporary British politics and history.' - Peter J.

Beck, Political Studies Review