British Politics and the European Union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

British Politics and the European Union - Essay Example As observed by Scheffler (2008: 37), the media has been given whole opportunity to highlight the weaknesses of European Union and as a result, the sense of skepticism has continued to deepen. This has also resulted into the deepening of the differences between the parties in the integration and hence resulting into a more sophisticated debate on the merits of the integration. This is believed to be one of the reasons that have shaped the British approach to Europe which is important as well before one can describe British as an awkward partner in the union (Bache & Jordan, 2006:4). However, these are failures of the government and do not justify the British awkwardness with respect to the affairs of the integration. As stated by Booker & Richard (2003:174), however, all independent nations would want to benefit from all the economic integrations tat they are engaged in and hence would participate in the affairs of such integrations if they benefit. Lack of favoritism policies of the European Union is therefore perceived as a reason for awkwardness.However, as stated by Bache & Jordan (2006:5), the late membership of Britain to the European Union must have cost the nation greatly. Since Britain joined the European Union late after other members states had joined and set rules and regulations, some politicians have argued that the rules were set in favor of the existing members. As a result, Britain has not benefited much from the joining of the integration (2006:5).... dent nations would want to benefit from all the economic integrations tat they are engaged in and hence would participate in the affairs of such integrations if they benefit. Lack of favoritism policies of the European Union is therefore perceived as a reason for awkwardness. However, as stated by Bache & Jordan (2006:5), the late membership of Britain to the European Union must have cost the nation greatly. Since Britain joined the European Union late after other members states had joined and set rules and regulations, some politicians have argued that the rules were set in favor of the existing members. As a result, Britain has not benefited much from the joining of the integration. This means that the policies and regulations of the integration do not benefit the nation. The rules that were set in favor of the founding members states therefore presents a technical constraint to Britain and hence presents it as an awkward member. This reflects the fact that the political practices as well as the constitutional attitudes of the founders of the European Union are different from those that the United Kingdom was accustomed. The relationship between the integration and the United Kingdom is therefore very difficult as the nations and the Union’s policies and constitutions are not homogenous. The differences in the constitution have therefore presented difficulties with regard to the United Kingdom’s relation to the integration. For example, the basis of the European Union is the separation of the powers of institutions as well as political coalitions unlike the British’s emphasis on centralized state, an adversarial â€Å"winner take all† as a style of party politics and the informal constitution. In this context, it is difficult for the nation to benefit adequately