Policy Press

Britain and Europe at a Crossroads

The Politics of Anxiety and Transformation

By Andrew Ryder

Published

Feb 17, 2022

Page count

246 pages

ISBN

978-1529200539

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 8, 2020

Page count

246 pages

ISBN

978-1529200515

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 8, 2020

Page count

246 pages

ISBN

978-1529200546

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 8, 2020

Page count

246 pages

ISBN

978-1529200546

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Britain and Europe at a Crossroads

This book dissects the complex social, cultural and political factors which led the UK to take its decision to leave the EU and examines the far-reaching consequences of that decision.

Developing the conceptual framework of securitization, Ryder innovatively uses primary sources and a focus on rhetoric to examine the ways that political elites engineered a politics of fear, insecurity and Brexit nationalism before and after the Brexit vote. He situates Brexit within a wider shift in international political ideas, traces the resurgence in popularity of far-right politics and explores how Britain and Europe now face a choice between further neoliberal reform or radical democratic and social renewal.

"In a time of anxiety, change and frustration around Brexit, this book offers a salve in the form of an explanation on how we got here, through critical analysis of our political discourse." Jo Richardson, De Montfort University

Andrew Ryder is Associate Professor of Sociology at Corvinius University of Budapest.

Introduction: Paradigm shift, reflexivity and securitisation

Brexit Nationalism: History, Crisis and Identity

The Road to Brexit

Politics in Focus: The Conservatives

Politics in Focus: Labour

The Nationalists: Exclusionary and Civic

Brexit: Views from Europe

Boris Johnson: Getting Brexit done?

Antidotes to Brexit