The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy

Module code: PL3137

Despite the loss of its global supremacy in the mid-1950s, the United Kingdom is still one of the world's great powers. It has military and economic strength, a permanent seat of the UN Security Council, a leading role in the Commonwealth and holds high levels of soft power through the popularity of its culture, sports and political systems. This all means that the UK has significant global influence, and this module will enable you to focus on its foreign policy and relations.

During this module, you'll examine the contemporary British foreign policy landscape and its main actors and institutions, both governmental and non-governmental. You'll analyse thematic case studies of British foreign policy within a changing global context. In addition, you'll assess contemporary thinking on foreign policy within the Conservative and Labour parties, and of their policies enacted in government.