British Moment
Encyclopedia
The British Moment is a term, first used by The Henry Jackson Society, to describe the alleged growth of British
global influence in recent years.
The term comes from the treatise called The British Moment: The Case for Democratic Geopolitics in the Twenty-first Century, written by young academics in The Henry Jackson Society, a foreign policy organisation at the University of Cambridge
. It suggests that the United Kingdom now finds itself in a unique period where it can play a major and decisive role in the 21st century world. As such, it calls for the British government to maintain strong armed forces and promote British values
and interests robustly in the wider world. The authors also call for strong transatlantic relations between North America and Europe, and for further European integration
, especially in issues pertaining to foreign affairs and military strategy.
The treatise came at a time when Britain's global role had increased under the leadership of Prime Minister
Tony Blair
, and British armed forces
had been deployed in Afghanistan
, Iraq
, Sierra Leone
, the former Yugoslavia
and several other countries.
The book is published by the Social Affairs Unit
in London.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
global influence in recent years.
The term comes from the treatise called The British Moment: The Case for Democratic Geopolitics in the Twenty-first Century, written by young academics in The Henry Jackson Society, a foreign policy organisation at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. It suggests that the United Kingdom now finds itself in a unique period where it can play a major and decisive role in the 21st century world. As such, it calls for the British government to maintain strong armed forces and promote British values
Britishness
Britishness is the state or quality of being British, or of embodying British characteristics, and is used to refer to that which binds and distinguishes the British people and forms the basis of their unity and identity, or else to explain expressions of British culture—such as habits, behaviours...
and interests robustly in the wider world. The authors also call for strong transatlantic relations between North America and Europe, and for further European integration
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, especially in issues pertaining to foreign affairs and military strategy.
The treatise came at a time when Britain's global role had increased under the leadership of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, and British armed forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
had been deployed in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, the former Yugoslavia
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
and several other countries.
The book is published by the Social Affairs Unit
Social Affairs Unit
The Social Affairs Unit is a right-leaning think tank in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1980 as an offshoot of the Institute of Economic Affairs, it publishes books on a variety of social issues...
in London.
See also
- Euston ManifestoEuston ManifestoThe Euston Manifesto is a 2006 declaration of principles by a group of academics, journalists, and activists based in the United Kingdom. The statement is a reaction to what are asserted to be widespread violations of leftist principles by others who are commonly associated with the political Left...
- History of the United KingdomHistory of the United KingdomThe history of the United Kingdom as a unified sovereign state began with the political union of the kingdoms of England, which included Wales, and Scotland on 1 May 1707 in accordance with the Treaty of Union, as ratified by the Acts of Union 1707...
- Foreign relations of the United KingdomForeign relations of the United KingdomThe diplomatic foreign relations of the United Kingdom are implemented by the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UK was the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Throughout history it has wielded significant influence upon other nations via the British...