A study of anti-Americanism in the British Labour Party, 1960-1997

  • James Merrifield

    Student thesis: Master's Thesis

    Abstract

    The subject of the thesis is anti-Americanism in the British Labour Party between 1960 and 1997. The 'Introduction' examines the conceptual questions, as well as the historical heritage, of Socialist anti-Americanism. The body of the thesis is split into three case studies, each case study dealing with one of three selected 'eras' in Labour politics. The three case studies take a uniform approach to examining anti- Americanism, studying three proposed forms of Socialist anti-Americanism antiimperialist, pacifist and anti-capitalist anti-Americanism.

    The first case study examines anti-Americanism in the British Labour Party during the 1960s, beginning with Harold Wilson's installation as Party leader in 1963. The first case study specifically focuses on Socialist anti-Americanism between 1964 and 1967, when the Vietnam War dominated British Labour politics. The second case study examines Socialist anti-Americanism during the 1980s, though the case study does also consider the influence of developments in Labour politics in the late-1970s. Such a time frame has been chosen for the second case study because of the extent of left-wing control in Labour politics at this time. The third case study examines Socialist anti-Americanism throughout the 1990s, the years of reformation and rehabilitation for the Labour Party. The influence of political developments in the late-1980s are also considered in the third case study.

    The 'Conclusions' highlight the most significant discoveries made during the examination of Socialist anti-Americanism. The 'Bibliography' details the various primary and secondary sources used in the researching and writing of the thesis.
    Date of AwardMay 2004
    Original languageEnglish

    Keywords

    • Anti-Americanism
    • Labour party

    Cite this

    '