1975 - Sir Michael Palliser - Britain and British Diplomacy in a World of Change

In this lecture Sir Michael Palliser took a retrospective look at British diplomacy since 1945. He argued that the fundamental problem with British diplomacy has been focusing on response or reaction over forethought and invention. He noted the large relative decline in power since 1945 with respect to the United States and other rising powers. Still, he argued that Britain exerts a disproportionate influence on the world. After the war, Britain successfully navigated two difficult challenges: the end of Empire and Europe’s post-war economic recovery. However, Britain has subsequently been overly reactive to European policy, especially concerning membership in the EC. Given the number of problems that are faced today, Britain needs more than ever to use the influence it has to successfully solve them. Britain must realise that it does not have the same power as before, but this should not lead to an exaggeration of its weakness.