The Anglo-American Special Relationship In Blair's Government

The special relationship between Britain and America formed in the World War II. It experienced tortuous development as the change of international environment and the difference of these two countries'interests in the post-war. Since World War II, the Anglo-American special relationship had occupied a central place in the British diplomacy policy. Every British government put emphasis on consolidating and developing the special relationship with the U.S.A.. This relationship became more conspicuous and developed into a new phase in Blair's government. Blair took full advantage of good personal relations and similar political ideas with President Clinton, to restore and strengthen the special relationship between the two countries. In the international community, Blair and Clinton jointly initiated the "third way", cooperated to resolve the Northern Ireland peace issues and launch the Kosovo War. Meanwhile, They took the same pace in implementing human rights diplomacy and new interventionism. After George. W. Bush came to power, Blair seized the opportunity of anti-terrorism, and acted as the defender and military assistant of the United States in many diplomatic practice. Blair not only supported the United States in spirit and in theory, helping to establish the anti-terrorist coalition for the United States, but also actively took part in Afghanistan War and Iraq War which were launched by the United States regardless of the opposition of the other countries. The Anglo-American special relationship entered the third "honeymoon period" following Churchill - Roosevelt period and Margaret Thatcher - Reagan period.No matter how close the Anglo-American special relationship in Blair's government, they had quarrels. There were significant disagreements and contradictions in such issues as missile defense program, the "Kyoto Protocol", the fight against terrorism, the Middle East peace process and others between Britain and America. On the one hand, these differences and conflicts showed that Britain gave priority to its own interests in dealing with foreign relations. On the other hand, as a member of the EU, when dealing with some issues, the United Kingdom was inevitably in an European manner, which resulted in discrepancies between the two countries.The well-developed relationship between Britain and America in Blair's government benefited from three aspects. Firstly, mutual interests requirement maintained the Anglo-American special relationship. On the one hand, by keeping special relationship with America, Britain could play a crucial role far beyond its own strength in the international affairs; on the other hand, America also needed Britain's support in dealing with regional affairs and relations between Europe and the United States. Secondly, the anti-terrorism in the international background and Blair's diplomacy ideas provided the cornerstone and impetus for the development of the Anglo-American special relationship. Finally, the friendship between Clinton, the younger Bush and Blair was also a major factor.In his ten years term, Blair indeed enhanced the Britain's international influence by strengthening the special relationship with the United States. However, there was enormous "asymmetry" in Anglo-American relations. "Special" was mainly aimed at British. British foreign policy tilting towards the United States too much had greatly undermined the image of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister, and had also seriously affected the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European allies.There are four sections in this thesis. 1. The Anglo-American special relationship before Blair came to power. 2. The performance of the Anglo-American special relationship in Blair's government. 3. The differences and contradictions between Britain and America in Blair's term of office. 4. The causes and evaluation of the consolidation of the Anglo-American special relationship in Blair's government.