School of Social & Political Sciences

_{Professor Beatrice Heuser (centre) with University of Glasgow Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli (left) and Head of School of Social & Political Sciences, Professor Michele Burnam (right).}

 

Professor Beatrice Heuser, Professor of International Relations (Politics) delivered her Inaugural Lecture, 'Brexit in Historial Context: Sovereignty vs European Union' at the University of Glasgow last week.

She discussed the historical development of the European Union - a permanent council for heads of states and their representatives to settle issues peacefully - and the irony that Britain, which started the process of European security integration in 1948, should initiate its unravelling.

The inspiration behind this lecture topic stemmed from a feeling that in the lead-up to the EU Referendum, the dimension of Security was almost entirely absent.

Professor Heuser said: "A few leading policemen and retired intelligence practitioners mentioned that it will be less easy to fight crime and terrorism outside EU structures.  But I recall nobody else explaining this: 2500 years of European history indicate that the best way to resolve conflict, among like-minded states, is in a confederation of sorts, relegating issues to a common court of justice, or resolving them, jointly, around a conference table.  (This would not work when confronted with Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia, but the EU is neither).

"Without Britain’s membership of the EU, it cannot use its influence and diplomatic skills to mediate and moderate.  Moreover, with Britain outside the EU, an age dominated by false news and gut feelings old rivalries can turn toxic again – from fisheries disputes to much else.  Altogether, bad prospects.”

The Professor holds the Chair in International Relations in the Department of Politics‌ within the University of Glasgow, and is Director of the PhD programme in Politics.  She has been affiliated to/is currently serving on academic advisory boards of several research institutes, including the French Institute of International Affairs (IFRI), the Royal United Services Institute, Chatham House (RIIA), the German Institute for Contemporary History, and the French government’s strategic studies think tank IRSEM.
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A recording of the lecture is available to view in full, which includes a short Q & A session.

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First published: 29 January 2019