Brexit: The Past, The Present, and The Future

Hoch, Sophie

Publication

Brexit: The Past, The Present, and The Future

Hoch, Sophie

Date

2017

Additional date(s)

2017-05-19

Abstract

Regional integration is a relatively new concept in the history of the world and its costs and benefits are yet to be fully realized. The formation of the European Union was one of the most significant political events in the twentieth century as it unified the Western hemisphere by creating an interdependent bloc of nations despite them each being unique in their own values, customs, democracies, and economies. For more than thirty years, the European Union has undergone modifications and has added more and more nations until June 23, 2016 when Great Britain chose to leave the bloc. This paper examines what the motivation was for Great Britain to join in the first place and studies why the citizens voted to leave. Additionally, this paper analyzes what form this separation might take and the consequences and benefits to each form. The Brexit is an example of how the world is affected at large by decisions made in only one part of the world and how the twenty-first century will be trademarked by nations trying to maintain their identity while being met by the forces of globalization.