The Enduring Crown Commonwealth: The Past, Present, and Future of the UK-Canada-ANZ Alliance and Why It Matters

The book explores the rise, decline, and unexpected rebound of the historic UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand alliance, known as the Crown. Despite post-Brexit and post-Elizabethan Britain seeking a new role, traditional partner countries recognize the logic of reinvigorating their relationship based on cultural, economic, political, and military ties. The alliance has endured despite periods of decline and separation, and is now more important and relevant than ever in the age of global instability and raw power politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The captivating Netflix series "The Crown" delves into the tumultuous era spanning from Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952 to the present day, and this captivating book does the same, delving into the rise, decline, and, to some, unexpected resurgence of the historic UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand alliance. As a post-Brexit and post-Elizabethan Britain navigates a new role in the ever-volatile world, its traditional partner countries also recognize the rationale behind revitalizing their relationship, rooted in a multitude of strong cultural, economic, political, and military ties, including the monarchy as a globally shared institution rather than solely British.

However, this wasn't always the case. While in the 1950s, commentators heralded a new Elizabethan Age with much hope across the Commonwealth, that optimism swiftly dissipated. By the 1970s, many believed that Britain had become obsolete, and Crown and Commonwealth ties and allegiance were considered outdated. Surprisingly, the four countries gradually drifted apart. If a time-traveler from that era were to arrive in London, Toronto, Sydney, or Auckland today, they would be astounded by the resilience of the Crown, even as it has passed to King Charles, and the growing convergence of the four CANZUK realms in areas such as trade, defense, foreign policy coordination, freedom of movement, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and other new or revived connections.

This book vividly chronicles the journey that brought us to where we are today, explores the possibilities for the future, and provides valuable insights into the path that led us here. In the current era of global instability and raw power politics, the renewed Anglosphere Crown Commonwealth alliance holds greater importance and relevance than ever before.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 446 x 236 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538170199