Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
author Ryan S. Strauss
title The Anglo-American Special Relationship: Antiquity or Destiny?
abstract As one of the predominant forces that has shaped the modern geopolitical landscape and international world order, the Anglo-American Special Relationship continues to be a unique multilateral partnership between the United States and United Kingdom to this day. There has been a certain degree of debate in the academic sphere and more broadly regarding the nature of the special relationship, including assertions that it is not truly 'special,' that it has outlived its practicality post-Cold War and post-World War II, or even that it is 'dead' and no longer exists. This raises several questions—does the Anglo-American special relationship exist? If so, what is its root cause that distinguishes it as 'special' and sets it apart from other U.S./U.K. ally relations? This thesis argues first, that the special relationship does in fact exist, and second, that its existence and longevity are ontologically grounded in classical liberal philosophy. As a result of common political philosophy that has influenced both states political institutions, norms, and foreign policy, the U.S. and U.K. as nation states are natural allies to one another. There are numerous factors which contribute to the 'specialness' of the special relationship, but its grounding in philosophy is the unifying component whose presence is necessary for the special relationship's continued existence. A historical survey of U.S.-U.K. relations, analysis of public opinion polling, examination of United Nations General Assembly voting, and international relations theory are used to prove the special relationship's existence. Following this, key texts in classical liberalism are discussed and distilled into a set of criteria by which the U.S. and U.K.'s political institutions, norms, and foreign policy are evaluated, showing the influence of classical liberalism on the two states. At that point, it will be manifestly evident that the depth and breadth of liberal philosophy is the ontological grounding of the special relationship, whose existence continues to influence political actors and the broader public globally.
school The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
degree B.A. (2021)
advisor Carlos Yordan
committee Erik Anderson
Marie-Pascale Pieretti
full textRStrauss.pdf