Question

In 2016, the people of United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The UK formally ended its membership of the EU at midnight of Friday, 31 January 2020. This is called Brexit. Brexit is an assertion of British sense of nationalism. This shows that the concept of State very much relevant. Have a discussion in class in this context on the basis of the following questions:

Why did Britain want to exit from the European Union?

Does the vote in favour of Brexit go against the concept of globalisation?

Answer 1

Britain’s decision to leave the EU was influenced by several factors. Supporters of Brexit wanted greater national sovereignty, more control over laws and immigration, and greater freedom to make independent economic and trade policies. Immigration and concerns about the effects of economic globalisation were also important issues in the referendum debate.

Brexit can be seen as a reaction against some aspects of globalisation and regional integration, because it involved withdrawing from the European Union and seeking greater national control. However, it did not mean that Britain wanted to end its relations with the rest of the world. Supporters of Brexit also argued for developing independent global trade and international relations outside the EU. Therefore, Brexit reflects a tension between nationalism and globalisation, rather than a complete rejection of globalisation.