Brexit. A Postscript.
By Andrea Bosco
The European Union is facing today a major challenge since its creation. Brexit could mean not only the reversal of the steady enlargement of its dimensions – from 6 to 28 member-states – but also the beginning of an inexorable decline leading to its disintegration. However, few today seem to recollect that it was precisely the British who were the first to elaborate the political culture which has inspired the European construction – democracy and federalism – and first who tried to realize – in June 1940 – a European federation on the basis of the Anglo-French Union.
Following the entry of the United Kingdom, the European Community was never the same again. The actual political phase of the process of European integration was inaugurated, and enlargement reinforced the feeling in European citizens of being part of a functioning European political system. The British brought to the Community citadel the specific values of their political tradition, such as representative democracy and federalism. It was therefore no coincidence that the Paris summit of December 9–10, 1974 – the official entry of the United Kingdom took place on January 22, 1972 – decided the direct elections of the European Parliament in 1979, and the creation of the European Council that it would have to meet at least three times a year.
The Lothian Foundation
Our history and aims
Established in October 1986, the Lothian Foundation has remained loyal to its original aims which are to educate the public in the problems and ways of achieving better relations between the peoples of the European Union, and between them and other peoples, particularly those of the United States.
The aim of the Lothian Foundation is to foster the study and the discussion of certain aspects of the theory and history of international relations arising from the work and influence of the late Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian:
- The question of national sovereignty and international anarchy;
- The theory and history of federalism and European unification;
- The problem of devolution and regionalism;
- Relations between the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, continental Europe and the United States.
Lothian Foundation’s
Academic Council
- Dr. Max Beber (Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge)
- Prof. Jorge Canizares-Esguerra, (University of Texas, Austin)
- Prof. Nicholas Canny (National University of Ireland, Galway)
- Dr. Enrico Ciappi, (University of Pavia)
- Prof. Peter Clegg (University of the West of England, Bristol)
- Prof.Vincent Della Sala (University of Trento)
- Dr. Alessandro d’Onofrio, (Antall József Knowledge Center, Budapest)
- Prof. John Driffil (Yale NUS College, Singapore)
- Dr. Kent Fedorowich (University of the West of England, Bristol)
- Prof.James Foreman-Peck, (University of Cardiff)
- Prof.Erik Goldstein (Boston University)
- Prof.Richard Griffiths (University of Leiden)
- Dr. Chandrika Kaul (University of St Andrews)
- Prof. Klaus W. Larres (University of South Carolina at Chapel Hill)
- Dr. Werner Lippert (Indiana University of Pennsylvania)
- Dr. Donal Lowry (Regent’s Park College, Oxford)
- Prof. Christopher Rickerd (St Antony’s College, Oxford)
- Prof.Priscilla Roberts (University of Macau)
- Prof.François Saint Ouen (Centre of Excellence Dusan Sidjanski in European Studies, University of Geneva)
- Prof.Richard Sakwa (University of Kent)
- Prof.Stefan Schieren (Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt)
- Prof.Giles Scott-Smith (Leiden University)
- Dr Julie Smith (Baroness Smith of Newnham, Robinson College, Cambridge)
- Dr. Peter Stirk (Durham University)
- Prof.Andrew Thompson (Nuffield College, Oxford)
- Prof. John Turner (University of Surrey, Guildford)
- Prof.Dimitris Vayanos (London School of Economics)
Next conferences
The Constitutional Consequences of Brexit: An Irish Federation?
London, Whitehall Place, 27 May, 2021
Cyclades, World Heritage under Challenge. History, Culture, Economy and Strategic Role of a European Border Region
Ios Island, Cyclades, 15-17 July, 2021.
The Constitutional Consequences of Brexit: The Case for Scottish Independence
London, Whitehall Place, 18 November, 2021.
Towards the Creation of a Transatlantic Common Market? The Role of Great Britain
London, Whitehall Place, 9 December, 2021