Britain and the Maastricht Negotiations - (St Antony's) by A Forster (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book examines the British government's negotiation of the Treaty on European Union which took place between December 1990 and December 1991. On the basis of documentary and interview based evidence of leading participants from Britain and Europe, it offers a unique insight into the objectives and motivations of the British government. It analyses the various constraints and pressures that impinged on the British government and sets its successes and failures in the Maastricht negotiations in a broader context of British European policy.

Review Quotes

'A book which will appeal to historians, political scientists, policy makers and diplomats alike...the definitive study of Britain's role in the Maastricht negotiations and the impact of this process both on UK domestic politics and future EU policy making...An original, exhaustive and elegant trawl through the primary and secondary literature...This excellent book offers to the reader a case study which calls into question, at least in this important process, the validity of always viewing Britain as the 'awkward partner' of Europe.' - David Baker, Nottingham Trent University, and author, with David Seawright, Britain For and Against Europe

'A fascinating and scholarly study of the British government's position in the Maastricht negotiations, which makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Britain's position in the European Community / European Union.' - Stephen George, Jean Monnet Professor, Department of Politics, University of Sheffield

About the Author

ANTHONY FORSTER is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Nottingham and prior to that was Lecturer in Politics at St. Hilda's College, Oxford. He has published articles and chapters on Britain's relationship with Europe and European Union foreign and security policy. His current research interest centres on Euroscepticism and the transformation of British foreign policy.