Britain Alone: How a Decade of Conflict Remade the Nation

Britain's economy is as national as it has ever been since it left the European Union in 2021, according to Britain Alone, which argues that this "nationalization" emerged from the 2008 global financial crisis. The book explores how austerity and scarcity intensified and created new conflicts over who gets what, including struggles over what the British nation is for, who it represents, and who it values. It traces the complex nationalist path Britain took after the crash, demonstrating how we cannot explain nationalism without reference to the economy, and vice versa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Britain embarked on a new chapter when it left the European Union in January 2021, a departure that marked a significant shift in its geopolitical landscape. After centuries of empire-building and integration into the EU, the United Kingdom found itself suddenly adrift, without the economic and political influence that came with its membership. This unprecedented move has led to a reevaluation of Britain's national identity and economy, with the country now more focused on its own sovereignty and economic interests.

The decision to leave the EU was driven by a range of factors, including concerns about immigration, sovereignty, and the democratic legitimacy of EU institutions. However, the global financial crisis of 2008 played a pivotal role in shaping Britain's departure from the EU. The crisis exposed the vulnerabilities of the European Union's economic model, which relied heavily on financial markets and intergovernmental cooperation.

In response to the crisis, Britain implemented austerity measures to reduce its budget deficit and stabilize its economy. These measures, however, led to increased social and economic inequality, as well as tensions between different groups within society. The austerity program, combined with the ongoing debate about the country's identity and place in the world, sparked a surge in nationalist sentiment.

Britain alone argues that the "nationalization" of the state and its boundaries with its national peoples emerged as a result of the 2008 global financial crisis. The book explores how austerity and scarcity intensified and created new conflicts over who gets what, extending to the struggle over what the British nation is for, who it represents, and who it values.

Drawing on a range of cultural, economic, and political themes, including immigration and the hostile environment, nostalgia and Second World War mythology, race and the "left behind," the clap for carers and furloughing, as well as Superscrimpers and stand-up comedy, the book traces the complex nationalist path Britain took after the crash. It demonstrates how we cannot explain nationalism without reference to the economy, and vice versa.

In analysing the thread that ties the fallout of the crash and austerity, through Brexit, and to the shape of lockdown politics, Britain alone provides an incisive and original history of the last decade of Britain and its relationship to the global economy. The book sheds light on the complex dynamics that have shaped Britain's position in the world and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

As Britain continues to navigate its new path outside the EU, it will be crucial to address the issues of economic inequality, social cohesion, and national identity. The country will need to strike a balance between its commitment to global cooperation and its desire for greater autonomy and control over its own affairs. The book's analysis of the last decade of Britain's history provides valuable lessons for policymakers and citizens alike, as the country seeks to define its place in the world in the years to come.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 216 x 138 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526159205