Description
This research looks at the state of Anglo-American political relations since 1980. By examining the political partnerships between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, Margaret Thatcher and George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Tony Blair, Barack Obama and Gordon Brown, and Barack Obama and David Cameron, it explores if the so called ‘special relationship’ remains so special today in a world of growing political animosity and challenges. The thesis argues that the success of the ‘special relationship’ between the United States and United Kingdom has not been just due to similar political ideologies or goals, but also personal friendships which often overcame national interests or immediate personal political gain. Furthermore, it is often the periods of disagreement between these sets of leaders that helped strengthen the relationship between America and Britain, evidenced by episodes like the Falklands War, policy towards the Soviet Union, the invasion of Grenada, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ultimately, the thesis explores how current relations have deteriorated due to problems on both sides of the Atlantic under the Obama, Brown, and Cameron administrations, but the research concludes that the special relationship is, while damaged, alive and fixable.
Details
Title
- Is the "Special Relationship" Still Special? The Politics and Role of Anglo-American Relations since 1980
Contributors
- Gavin, Stephen Christopher (Author)
- Critchlow, Donald (Thesis director)
- Stermetz, Catherine (Committee member)
- School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
- School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2015-12
Subjects
- George H. W. Bush
- Afghanistan
- United States
- history
- Libya
- Anglo-American Relations
- Fiscal Policy
- Grenada
- David Cameron
- International relations
- Falklands
- Great Britain
- Republicans
- Economy
- Iraq
- 2016 Presidential Election
- USA
- Ronald Reagan
- public policy
- Special Relationships
- Hillary Clinton
- Terrorism
- Britain
- Labour Party
- Conservative Party
- Tony Blair
- Gordon Brown
- Barack Obama
- Margaret Thatcher
- Democrats
- USSR
- UK
- George W. Bush
- Politics
Resource Type
Collections this item is in