Can you give us an overview of the work you published in the book?
Our book looks at the Brexit as a process that began decades earlier. It analyses EU-UK relations from a new perspective, taking into consideration the historical background, political aspects, and legal and economic matters. The book provides a holistic understanding of the Brexit, approaching the referendum and its outcomes as the culmination of a long process rather than an isolated political event. Accordingly, it addresses a range of thematic issues, historical patterns of political and economic behaviour both within and beyond the United Kingdom, and possible future effects on relations between the Union and one of its most important members. The book is divided into four parts: first it discusses the UK’s historical approach to European integration, then analyses British strategy towards the European Community before accession. It then focuses on the period when the UK was a Member State, and lastly the authors outline future scenarios.
What were your findings with regard to Brexit?
The main findings of the book regarding the Brexit are connected with the concept of a process that started even before the UK joined the European Community; the research focuses on the historical differences in the conceptual approaches to integration and cooperation in the European context. The progressive intensification of the integration in Europe did not lessen the differences between the British and the rest of the Europeans; rather, it worsened the gap in terms of national sovereignty disputes. Hence Brexit negotiations should follow the findings of this research in order to find the most mutually acceptable solution for all the parties involved in the process.
In your view, why is it important to look at the Brexit as a process (that began decades earlier)?
Most people following the Brexit are defining it as an event - no matter whether it’s the infamous referendum of 2016, or the ensuing cacophony of political statements made by Theresa May or representatives of the EU. Some of them see the Brexit as a "divorce bill" that will likely be enforced in March 2019. However, the Brexit phenomenon cannot be entirely understood without knowing the British-EU relationship over the decades. It is evident that the "great leaving", which astonished so many people, was not caused by random coincidences but rather the outcome of long-term political and economic developments and trends that were moulded by complex factors.
How do you hope your research will impact the future? What do you think the future holds for those working in this area?
The editors believe that the analysis provided can be used for several purposes - for historical understanding but also for forecasting the future. The EU has never been an ideal construction, but rather a changing landscape. The book may help to predict scenarios, and to recognise the process of political disintegration as it takes shape. The contribution also shows that changes on this scale should be reviewed by means of interdisciplinary analysis, which allows us to see the "big picture" and not become distracted by legal terms, ideologies, etc.
