The Choice of Brexit: A Case of Disintegration
Author
Kristensen, Michelle
Term
4. term
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-05-29
Abstract
This thesis examines why a majority in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016 and interprets Brexit as a case of disintegration driven by a surge in nationalism. Using a single-case study design with process tracing and document analysis, it reviews the UK’s shifting global role and the reasons voters cited for choosing leave. The study applies theories of disintegration, nationalism and national identity, and frames the findings through a realist lens. The analysis indicates that sovereignty, immigration and national identity were central motivations, and that growing opposition to globalization and deeper integration strengthened support for exit. In realist terms, disintegration becomes rational when the benefits and security of integration diminish; the two main reasons for joining the EEC in 1973—security and economic gains—are assessed to have weakened, including after the 2008 crisis and the absence of a single shared threat. The thesis also considers whether Brexit could lead to the dissolution of the UK and evaluates the explanatory power of the chosen theories without seeking broad generalization, though some insights may inform similar dynamics elsewhere. It concludes that many Britons hope for less EU interference, fewer immigrants and greater sovereignty, but that escaping globalization while retaining the desired level of control may prove difficult.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor et flertal i Storbritannien stemte for at forlade EU i 2016, og fortolker Brexit som et tilfælde af disintegration drevet af en bølge af nationalisme. Med et enkeltcasestudie, process tracing og dokumentanalyse analyseres udviklingen i Storbritanniens globale position og de begrundelser vælgere angav for at stemme leave. Afhandlingen trækker på teorier om disintegration, nationalisme og national identitet og sætter fundene ind i et realistisk perspektiv. Analysen peger på, at suverænitet, immigration og national identitet var centrale motiver, og at en stigende modstand mod globalisering og dybere integration styrkede ønsket om at forlade EU. I et realistisk perspektiv bliver disintegration rationel, når gevinsterne og sikkerheden ved integration mindskes; netop de to primære årsager til britisk indtræden i EØF i 1973 – sikkerhed og økonomiske fordele – vurderes at være svækket, bl.a. efter finanskrisen i 2008 og fraværet af en fælles trussel. Afhandlingen diskuterer også, om Brexit kan føre til en opløsning af Storbritannien, og vurderer teoriernes forklaringskraft uden at søge bred generalisering, om end indsigter kan belyse lignende tendenser i andre lande. Konklusionen er, at mange briter håber på mindre EU-indblanding, færre immigranter og øget suverænitet, men at det kan blive vanskeligt at undslippe globalisering og samtidig bevare den ønskede kontrol.
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