Special relationship

The special relationship is the phrase used to characterize the warm political, diplomatic, historical, and cultural relations between the United States and British Commonwealth nations. (See the article Anglo-American relations for an overview of relations between the two countries in general). The phrase was more frequently used by British commentators to mean the United Kingdom and the United States, of which more below; and it is the chief benefit-in-action of the Anglosphere. It is now used to describe the close relationship between Tony Blair and George W. Bush.

Origins

The origin of the term may be Winston Churchill's "Sinews of Peace Address" in Fulton, Missouri, better known for addressing the rise of communism and the Iron Curtain.

Related Topics:
Winston Churchill's - Fulton, Missouri - Communism - Iron Curtain

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:Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organization will be gained without what I have called the fraternal association of the English-speaking peoples ...a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. Fraternal association requires not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. It should carry with it the continuance of the present facilities for mutual security by the joint use of all Naval and Air Force bases in the possession of either country all over the world.

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:There is however an important question we must ask ourselves. Would a special relationship between the United States and the British Commonwealth be inconsistent with our over-riding loyalties to the World Organization? I reply that, on the contrary, it is probably the only means by which that organization will achieve its full stature and strength.

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The special relationship is based on historical, cultural, economic and ideological ties, and is often evoked at times of difficulty for either party.

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Built on the principle of interdependence, most American commentators had until relatively recently construed the special relationship as a "one-way street", namely that Britain relied heavily on the United States to promote its affairs further in international relations. This was certainly true from the perspective of post-second World War Britain, until the resurgence of the British economy, post Margaret Thatcher's radical economic and social reforms while Prime Minister of Great Britain. Moreover, Baroness Thatcher's exceptionally close political and personal relationship with and influence on US President Ronald Reagan is widely-regarded as having contributed in part to the international political climate which ultimately led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Related Topics:
Second World War - Economy - Margaret Thatcher - Prime Minister - Baroness - Ronald Reagan - Soviet Union

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At the time of writing in July 2005, Britain is the world's fourth largest economy in terms of gross domestic product. In stark economic terms for example, in 2005 the US is the biggest single investor in the UK, and vice-versa. This new economic strength, together with Britain's influence as one of the "big three" in the European Union, has altered the relative US/UK balance somewhat. Conversely, British commentators have implied that British support of American policy is rarely reciprocated when it is not directly in America's best interests, leaving Britain diplomatically isolated - for example during the Suez Crisis the Falklands War and at the July 2005 G8 summit under the Presidency of the UK, where Prime Minister Tony Blair signally failed to persuade President George W. Bush to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol - the US citing "harm to the United States' economy" as their principal objection.

Related Topics:
July 2005 - Gross domestic product - European Union - Suez Crisis - Falklands War - G8 - Tony Blair - George W. Bush - Kyoto Protocol

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That the United States and Britain derive mutual benefit from each other is beyond question. In a narrower, political sense, it has been demonstrated neatly by the circumstances surrounding the war in Iraq. See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Related Topics:
Iraq - 2003 invasion of Iraq

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