What is *A Short History of Brexit* about?

*A Short History of Brexit* by Kevin O’Rourke provides a historical analysis of the UK’s complex relationship with the European Union, tracing the economic, political, and social factors that culminated in the 2016 referendum. It examines British Euroscepticism, the EU’s institutional evolution, and the Irish border’s pivotal role in Brexit negotiations, offering context for understanding this transformative event.

Who should read *A Short History of Brexit*?

This book is ideal for readers seeking a nuanced understanding of Brexit’s origins and implications, including students of European history, policymakers, and anyone interested in UK-EU relations. O’Rourke’s accessible style makes it suitable for both academic audiences and general readers navigating post-Brexit debates.

Is *A Short History of Brexit* worth reading?

Yes, O’Rourke’s book is praised for its clarity and depth, distilling decades of political tension into a concise narrative. It provides fresh perspectives on Brexit’s historical roots and its global impact, making it a vital resource for understanding contemporary European politics.

How does *A Short History of Brexit* explain the Irish border issue?

The book highlights the Irish border as a microcosm of Brexit’s complexities. O’Rourke argues that the border symbolizes the EU’s commitment to preserving its single market and peace in Northern Ireland, making it a non-negotiable issue during talks. Historical Anglo-Irish tensions and the Good Friday Agreement further complicated resolutions.

What are the main arguments in *A Short History of Brexit*?

Key arguments include Britain’s longstanding ambivalence toward European integration, the role of UKIP in pushing for a referendum, and the EU’s institutional rigidity during negotiations. O’Rourke emphasizes how economic policies and national identity clashes shaped the Brexit outcome.

How does Kevin O’Rourke’s background influence the book?

As a leading economic historian, O’Rourke combines rigorous analysis of trade agreements, sovereignty debates, and EU governance structures. His expertise lends authority to discussions of Brexit’s economic ramifications and historical precedents.

What historical events does *A Short History of Brexit* cover?

The book spans post-WWII European integration, the UK’s 1975 EC membership referendum, the Maastricht Treaty, and the rise of Euroscepticism. It also delves into the 2016 referendum’s aftermath and Theresa May’s failed withdrawal agreements.

How does the book differentiate between “hard” and “soft” Brexit?

O’Rourke explains “hard Brexit” as a clean break from the EU’s single market and customs union, prioritizing sovereignty over economic ties. “Soft Brexit” refers to retaining closer economic integration, akin to Norway’s model, which faced opposition from hardline Leavers.

英国脱欧简史

从布伦特里到后备方案

凯文·奥罗克

4.08(359 Reviews)

《英国脱欧简史》概述

牛津大学经济学家凯文·奥罗克（Kevin O'Rourke）揭开了英国脱欧复杂的历史，揭示了超越当今头条新闻、长达数世纪之久的英欧紧张关系。本书因其“冷静而具有毁灭性”的分析而受到政治学者的赞誉，它揭示了为什么爱尔兰边界不仅代表着贸易问题，更关乎欧盟的根基。

选择讲述方式

一本书，多种聆听方式。

来自《英国脱欧简史》的相同理念。选择适合你的声音、深度和节奏，随时切换。

第 1 章

When Britain Chose to Leave: The Fateful Decision That Shook Europe

Brexit wasn't born in a vacuum. It emerged from centuries of British exceptionalism, imperial nostalgia, and a complex relationship with continental Europe that never quite felt comfortable. When 17.4 million Britons voted to leave the European Union on June 23, 2016, they set in motion what The Economist called "an act of simultaneous destruction and creation not seen in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall." The referendum that former Prime Minister David Cameron once described as a mere "party management issue" has since become one of the most consequential political decisions in modern British history. Kevin O'Rourke's analysis of Brexit stands apart from other accounts by placing this momentous decision within three interconnected historical contexts: Britain's centuries-old relationship with Europe, the EU's institutional development, and Ireland's transformation through European integration. As a Swiss-born economist with Irish and Danish parents who has lived and worked across Europe, O'Rourke brings a uniquely pan-European perspective to a story often told through a narrowly British lens. His book has been praised by figures across the political spectrum, from former Conservative Chancellor Kenneth Clarke to Labour's Keir Starmer, for its clear-eyed historical analysis that helps readers understand not just what happened, but why.

第 2 章

The Scars of War and the Promise of Peace

Why did continental Europeans create such deeply integrated institutions after World War II, while Britain remained skeptical? The answer begins with the devastating human toll of two world wars. While Britain lost 0.7% of its population in World War II, France lost 1.5%, and Germany a staggering 9%. For continental Europeans, the lesson was clear: traditional nation-state competition had become existentially dangerous. This explains why Franco-German reconciliation became the cornerstone of European integration. While East Asia's historical wounds between China, Japan, and Korea remain raw decades later, Europe's former enemies found a path to cooperation through economic integration. This difference in historical memory manifests even in how war is commemorated. French Armistice Day ceremonies often emphasize the international nature of the conflict and include pro-European messages about peace, while British Remembrance ceremonies remain strictly national affairs with no acknowledgment of continental allies. Europe's economic decline relative to America and the Soviet Union after World War II created another powerful incentive for unity. In 1900, Western Europe controlled 34% of world output and Europeans controlled 84% of the Earth's surface - a dramatic shift from the year 1000, when China and India dominated global production. But by 1945, this primacy had ended, with the US and USSR emerging as the dominant powers. European colonial powers initially resisted this new reality - Churchill famously declared he wouldn't "preside over the liquidation of the British Empire" - but decolonization proceeded rapidly through the 1950s and 60s. For continental Europeans, the solution to relative decline was obvious: greater unity. For Britain, protected by the Channel and still clinging to imperial dreams, this was less apparent. As French politician Maurice Faure bluntly stated in 1957, only America and Russia were truly Great Powers - a reality Britain wasn't yet ready to accept.

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

轻松跟读，《英国脱欧简史》中的每个词都会随音频实时高亮。

第 3 章

Britain's Imperial Mindset and European Hesitation

Britain's distinctive history shaped its self-perception in ways that would echo into its relationship with Europe. As the first industrial nation, Britain's economy transformed dramatically in the nineteenth century, with labor shifting from agriculture to industry. By 1871, only 22.6% of British workers remained in agriculture, compared to half in France. England's population exploded from 5.2 million in 1700 to 30.3 million by 1900, creating a nation increasingly dependent on imported food and raw materials, paid for with manufactured exports and overseas investment returns. This dependence created both international and domestic tensions. Internationally, Britain required naval supremacy to protect vital supply lines; domestically, a political divide emerged between traditional agricultural interests and the rising manufacturing classes. The Conservative Party cherished the British Empire, particularly the settler colonies of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In 1903, Joseph Chamberlain advocated for "imperial preference" - a system of preferential tariffs between Britain and her colonies. This proposal created a fundamental dilemma: implementing imperial preference required imposing tariffs on food imports from outside the Empire, directly contradicting Britain's free trade orthodoxy and threatening to increase food prices for working-class Britons. Though initially rejected, Chamberlain's vision was eventually fulfilled by his son Neville during the Great Depression. As Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1931, he introduced imperial preference - a general tariff on imports with duty-free entry for Empire goods. The 1932 Ottawa Imperial Economic Conference strengthened this system, successfully increasing intra-Empire trade from 27% to 38% of British imports between 1930-1933. This imperial preference system remained intact after World War II, despite American irritation. The Commonwealth provided Britain with a model of successful international cooperation without formal supranational institutions - a template where Britain naturally maintained significant influence. This experience would profoundly shape British attitudes toward European integration, making the country instinctively prefer looser intergovernmental cooperation over the supranational structures favored by continental Europeans.

第 4 章

From European Leader to Reluctant Partner

The post-war period initially saw Britain take a leading role in European cooperation. Winston Churchill emerged as a prominent advocate for European unity, calling for a "United States of Europe" built around Franco-German partnership in his 1947 Zurich speech. Churchill positioned Britain at the center of "three interlinked circles": the British Commonwealth and Empire, the English-speaking world, and a united Europe. However, his vision remained ambiguous - sometimes suggesting Britain would be a "friend and sponsor" of Europe rather than a full participant, while other times arguing Britain must play its "full part as a member of the European family." By 1950, Britain appeared well-positioned in Europe's new institutional architecture as a founding member of three major intergovernmental organizations: the Organization for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), NATO, and the Council of Europe. However, everything changed when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in May 1950. Britain declined to join, marking a turning point - until then, Britain had been central to European integration; afterward, it became increasingly peripheral. When the Messina process began in 1955 to create what would become the European Economic Community (EEC), Britain participated briefly but withdrew after five months due to fundamental differences. Britain preferred a free trade area over a customs union and wanted to work within existing OEEC structures rather than create new institutions. In a free trade area, members eliminate tariffs on each other's goods but maintain independent trade policies with third countries, requiring border controls to enforce rules of origin. A customs union eliminates internal tariffs and establishes a common external tariff, removing the need for internal border controls but requiring members to surrender independent trade policy - something Britain wasn't prepared to do. The Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, established the European Economic Community as not merely a customs union but an ambitious common market. The treaty recognized that dismantling trade barriers required complementary policies in agriculture, competition, and social standards. Importantly, it guaranteed the free movement of workers - not just goods, services, and capital. Contrary to some claims, the free movement of workers was a founding principle of European integration, not a recent invention.

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

每日获取新洞见，探索 10 万+ 条课程内容
文字实时高亮，与音频同步
保存你的书库，在所有设备上随时访问

第 5 章

Britain's Failed Alternatives and Eventual Membership

Having excluded itself from the EEC, Britain faced potential discrimination in European markets and had lost its leadership position in the new Europe. In response, Britain proposed "Plan G" - an OEEC-wide free trade area for industrial goods only, with the future EEC as a member. This plan suited British interests perfectly: it required no sovereignty surrender, preserved imperial preferences, and excluded agriculture to maintain Britain's existing support system. As the Board of Trade confidently noted, "the possibility of U.K. co-operation would be so welcome that we should be able to enter the plan more or less on our own terms." This confidence proved misplaced. France effectively vetoed the proposal, and Britain instead established the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with six other countries in 1960. As a purely intergovernmental organization with only a Council of Ministers and small secretariat, it reflected British preferences. However, EFTA wasn't meant as a permanent EEC alternative but as a temporary bridge. In 1961, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan made a startling reversal, applying for EEC membership. Three economic factors drove this: Britain traded more with the EEC than EFTA; Commonwealth trade was becoming less important as colonies pursued independent policies; and the EEC's economic boom highlighted concerns about British performance. Politically, Britain's international standing had declined, and maintaining the special relationship with the US increasingly required joining the Common Market. Macmillan's diary reveals his concerns about being caught between an increasingly hostile America and a powerful "Empire of Charlemagne" under French but eventually German control. This dilemma drove his "grim choice" to pursue Common Market membership despite potential sacrifices to British agriculture and Commonwealth relationships. However, French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's application in January 1963, worsening Franco-EEC relations while strengthening EFTA. De Gaulle's motives remain debated - politically, he feared diminished French influence and Britain serving as an American "Trojan horse," while economically he worried British entry would complicate favorable Common Agricultural Policy negotiations for France. He vetoed a second application in 1967. Britain finally joined the European Communities in 1973, along with Ireland and Denmark. Just two years later, a referendum on whether to leave resulted in an overwhelming two-to-one rejection of what we now call Brexit, seemingly settling the matter conclusively. The referendum campaign saw the "Yes" side effectively portray "No" supporters as extremists, noting that the IRA and Soviet Union also opposed membership.

第 6 章

From Golden Age to Thatcherism and the Single Market

Britain's EC membership began inauspiciously, coinciding with the end of the post-war economic "Golden Age." While the 1973 oil shock triggered immediate difficulties, deeper forces were at work. European growth slowed permanently as catch-up growth opportunities disappeared and management-union cooperation became harder to sustain. Growth approximately halved in European countries after 1973, but the impact was particularly severe in Britain, where inflation averaged 15.4% between 1973-1980 (compared to 4.9% in Germany). By 1976, Britain required an emergency IMF loan. These economic difficulties helped Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party sweep to power in 1979, while some Britons blamed their troubles on EC membership. The Labour Party grew increasingly hostile to Europe, adopting an official withdrawal policy in 1980 under Michael Foot's leadership. Though Margaret Thatcher lacked her predecessor's emotional commitment to Europe, mistrusting Germans and detesting continental political traditions of compromise, she became an enthusiastic supporter of the greatest deepening of European integration since the 1950s - the Single Market programme. Her early European engagement was marked by her famous "I want my money back!" demand challenging Britain's large net budget contribution despite being the seventh poorest member state. The 1985 Cockfield White Paper identified 297 specific barriers to be eliminated by 1992 - creating what became known as the "Single Market." Abolishing these barriers was an immense political challenge that required replacing the Luxembourg Compromise (which had allowed member states to veto legislation affecting vital national interests) with qualified majority voting for Single Market matters. Despite this shift toward a more supranational Europe where states might have to implement legislation they opposed, Thatcher's government strongly supported these changes as creating a competitive, freer market - "Thatcherism on a European scale." As Hugo Young noted, "Everyone in the Thatcher Cabinet backed it... storing up trouble for the day when it became an inconvenient memory. For their eyes weren't open, and they couldn't really face the consequences of what they had done."

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

轻松跟读，《英国脱欧简史》中的每个词都会随音频实时高亮。

第 7 章

The Irish Question: From Partition to Peace

The Irish border question has become central to Brexit despite being largely ignored during the 2016 referendum campaign. British involvement in Ireland began with Norman invasions in the twelfth century, but effective control wasn't established until the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Religious divisions following the Reformation complicated matters, as Ireland remained Catholic while Britain became predominantly Protestant. The Crown's expropriation of Irish Catholic lands in Ulster, granted to English and Scottish Protestant settlers, created a society where religious and national divisions coincided. Following the 1916 Easter Rising and subsequent British executions of its leaders, Irish sentiment radicalized. In the 1918 election, the republican Sinn Fein party won decisively in Ireland, though Ulster Unionists maintained control in the north. Following a guerrilla war, the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 established the Irish Free State with dominion status, while Northern Ireland exercised its right to remain part of the United Kingdom. The border between them became an international frontier on April 1, 1923, when customs posts appeared along the boundary - "an April Fool's joke that would last seventy years." In Northern Ireland, the Catholic minority faced severe discrimination in employment and housing, with 1971 unemployment rates at 17.3% for Catholics versus 7.6% for Protestants. The 1960s civil rights campaign against anti-Catholic discrimination was brutally suppressed, triggering violence across Northern Ireland in 1969. The Troubles continued until 1998, claiming 3,489 lives - 59% killed by republican terrorists, 29% by loyalist terrorists, and 10% by British security forces. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement established three institutional strands: a Northern Ireland Assembly with proportional representation and power-sharing executive; a North-South Ministerial Council for cross-border cooperation; and a British-Irish Council. The remaining security checkpoints between North and South were removed, making the Irish border essentially invisible - thanks both to the peace process and the EU's customs union and Single Market. The European Union didn't solve the Northern Irish conflict alone, but EU membership provided the crucial context. It normalized relationships between the UK and Ireland and eliminated border controls, making it easier for nationalists to accept remaining in the UK. As former Taoiseach John Bruton noted, shared EU membership meant "effectively no border" and reduced the sense of isolation that had fueled aggressive tactics.

第 8 章

Ireland's European Transformation

EU membership transformed Ireland's economic fortunes by reducing dependence on Britain. To properly evaluate Ireland's performance, we need appropriate benchmarks. Comparing Ireland with other relatively poor economies around the European periphery like Greece, Portugal, and Spain provides useful insights, as these countries faced similar obstacles but shared the same potential for catch-up growth. Statistical evidence shows that within Western Europe, initially poorer countries grew more rapidly than richer ones during the twentieth century through technological convergence. Ireland's overall 75-year economic performance was exactly what would be expected given its starting position - neither better nor worse. However, the timing of Ireland's growth was highly unusual. During its first 30 years of independence, Ireland's economic policies and performance were fairly typical for the period. The 25 years following World War II proved deeply disappointing, with Ireland performing well below average during Europe's "Golden Age." Two key factors explain this underperformance: delayed trade liberalization and excessive dependence on the poorly performing British economy. Ireland's economic fortunes transformed dramatically upon joining the EEC in 1973, immediately halting its decline relative to continental economies like France. Membership boosted Ireland's per capita growth rate by almost two percentage points. The economy diversified rapidly away from UK dependence - Irish exports to Britain fell from 61% in 1972 to just 14% by 2015. The 1992 Single Market represented a second major turning point, making Ireland an extraordinary economic overachiever in the 1990s. Two crucial factors underpinned Ireland's success: political independence allowing policy flexibility (including low corporate taxes, education investment, and social partnership agreements) and EU membership providing market access. These factors were complementary rather than contradictory - Ireland's independence wouldn't have worked as well without the EU, and its EU membership wouldn't have worked as well without independence.

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

每日获取新洞见，探索 10 万+ 条课程内容
文字实时高亮，与音频同步
保存你的书库，在所有设备上随时访问

第 9 章

The Path to Brexit

By the mid-1990s, British politics had undergone a dramatic reversal regarding European integration. While Labour had once been staunchly anti-European, it had become essentially pro-European, partly influenced by Jacques Delors' emphasis on the "social dimension" of the Single Market. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party shifted in the opposite direction, becoming increasingly Eurosceptic. David Cameron became Conservative leader in 2005 after the party's third consecutive election defeat. Though he initially hoped to avoid focusing on Europe, acknowledging that Tory divisions on the issue had cost them dearly, Europe would not be avoided. During the Tory wilderness years, the concept of the "Anglosphere" was revived - the idea that Britain's natural allies were English-speaking nations including the United States and former colonies. The 2004 EU enlargement, which admitted ten new members including eight former Communist countries, had profound consequences. While twelve existing member states postponed opening their labor markets for up to seven years, only Ireland, Sweden, and the UK allowed immediate free movement. This created significant political effects in Britain, particularly in England, as large-scale immigration from Eastern Europe began. In the 2016 referendum, the Leave campaign operated through two organizations: Vote Leave (the official campaign supported by Eurosceptic MPs) and Leave.EU (associated with UKIP's Nigel Farage). Boris Johnson made a last-minute decision to support Leave, widely assumed to be for careerist reasons. Both Leave campaigns employed questionable tactics - Leave.EU unveiled an infamous poster showing Syrian refugees that was widely denounced as racist, while Vote Leave used the slogan "Take back control" alongside their red bus claiming "We send the EU 350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead" - a statement that was simply untrue. On June 23, 2016, despite expectations of a Remain victory, the UK voted to leave the EU by 51.9% to 48.1%. Scotland (62%), Northern Ireland (55.8%), Gibraltar (96%), and London (59.9%) voted Remain, but every other major region of England, plus Wales, voted Leave.

第 10 章

Understanding the Brexit Vote

What explains Brexit? While the question will occupy academics for years, several explanations emerge. Britain's relationship with Europe was always ambivalent, with the country looking toward its imperial past and America while valuing European economic opportunities but resisting supranational ambitions. Yet Brexit wasn't inevitable - Leave won by just a small margin of 635,000 votes. The European context of 2015-16 was challenging. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the Eurozone outside Germany stagnated due to austerity policies implemented after the Greek debt crisis. While the US recovered to pre-crisis levels by 2011 and the UK by 2012, the Eurozone outside Germany only recovered in 2016, eight years later. The 2015 refugee crisis further strained European unity as over a million asylum seekers arrived. Though Britain wasn't directly affected by either crisis, they provided context for the referendum, with Brexiteers exploiting the refugee situation and portraying the EU as incompetent and crisis-ridden. While globalization has lifted millions out of poverty worldwide, its benefits aren't equally distributed. Standard trade theory acknowledges that trade increases overall incomes but creates winners and losers. Class divisions in globalization are stark - in France's 2005 referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty, only 35% of professionals voted against it compared to 79% of blue-collar workers. These voting patterns reflect economic interests - globalization and European integration have favored skilled workers while threatening the unskilled with competition from Eastern Europe and beyond. Areas with low pay, high unemployment, manufacturing traditions, lower-skilled workers, and recent Eastern European migration were all more likely to vote Leave - consistent with Brexit being partly a response to globalization's stresses. Government safety nets can mitigate globalization's negative effects, but Cameron and Osborne's radical austerity program deliberately shrank the state when communities needed more support. Comprehensive studies show austerity was more important than immigration in driving the Brexit vote - a modest reduction in austerity might have changed the outcome. The irony is devastating - Conservatives shrank the state believing it would benefit business, but instead caused the greatest catastrophe for British business since WWII.

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

轻松跟读，《英国脱欧简史》中的每个词都会随音频实时高亮。

第 11 章

The Brexit Negotiations and the Irish Backstop

After the referendum, Theresa May became Prime Minister and quickly signaled a hard Brexit approach, declaring Britain would control immigration and escape ECJ jurisdiction. By January 2017, she explicitly stated Britain would leave both the Single Market and customs union, wanting to end ECJ jurisdiction, stop financial contributions to Brussels, and make free trade deals worldwide. This created a fundamental contradiction: Britain wanted to restrict EU immigration and escape EU regulations while maintaining frictionless trade and special access for financial services. This "cakeism" - wanting to have your cake and eat it - ignored economic realities facing industries like automotive manufacturing, where companies depended on just-in-time supply chains that would collapse under border controls. The EU's approach to Brexit has been remarkably consistent from the outset. On June 24, 2016, EU leaders immediately established key principles: Brexit must follow Article 50 procedures, should happen quickly, required the UK to define what relationship it wanted, and any future arrangement must balance "rights and obligations." The EU made clear that "access to the Single Market requires acceptance of all four freedoms" - the UK couldn't cherry-pick only beneficial aspects. The Irish border presented a uniquely challenging Brexit problem. The 500-kilometer frontier is notoriously irrational, following centuries-old county boundaries rather than natural features. It meanders across the countryside dividing communities, sometimes bisecting individual farms or buildings, with more border crossings than exist between the EU and all countries to its east. The border's disappearance had transformed life for communities, particularly in healthcare where cross-border medical services now save lives. Security officials warned that reinstating any physical infrastructure would immediately make them targets for dissident republicans. The PSNI chief constable cautioned that such installations would "move away from issues of trade or movement of people to old-fashioned security on a national frontier," reviving a violent past. The Irish and EU position crystallized in November 2017: they required a "backstop" guarantee that would prevent a hard border regardless of whatever future trade deal might emerge. As Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney explained, the UK had "three ambitions which simply cannot all be delivered" - leaving the Single Market and customs union, keeping all UK parts together, and avoiding a hard Irish border. The UK eventually conceded in a Joint Report that included a commitment to maintain "full alignment" with EU rules necessary for North-South cooperation if no other solutions emerged. However, the UK cornered itself by adding a promise of no new regulatory barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain. This created an impossible trilemma: the UK could not simultaneously maintain alignment with EU rules, have no barriers with Britain, and leave the customs union and Single Market. The Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by November 2018 established that Northern Ireland would follow EU regulations for goods while the entire UK would form a "single customs territory" with the EU. Though designed to be temporary, the backstop would apply "unless and until" superseded by a future agreement. This proved politically toxic in Britain - the DUP and many Tories rejected even regulatory barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland, while Brexiteers feared being "trapped" permanently in a customs arrangement that would prevent independent trade deals. As 2018 ended, the path forward remained entirely uncertain. Brexit had revealed deep contradictions in British politics - a desire to "take back control" while maintaining frictionless trade, to assert sovereignty while avoiding a hard Irish border, to be both European and exceptional. These contradictions, rooted in centuries of history, would not be easily resolved.

★★★★★

你已读完《英国脱欧简史》

深受 100 万+ 学习者喜爱

“坚持使用 23 天了，我每天都会打开它。它现在已经成为我的日常习惯。”

jayallen

《英国脱欧简史》核心主题

british exceptionalism
imperial nostalgia
european integration history
supranationalism vs sovereignty
post-war geopolitical decline

《英国脱欧简史》经典语录

Brexit wasn't born in a vacuum.
Traditional nation-state competition had become existentially dangerous.
Churchill declared he wouldn't preside over the liquidation of the British Empire.
Only America and Russia were truly Great Powers.
Britain had been central to European integration; afterward, it became increasingly peripheral.

《英国脱欧简史》主要人物

Kevin O'RourkeAuthor and economist providing historical analysis
David CameronFormer Prime Minister who called the referendum
Joseph ChamberlainPolitician who advocated for imperial preference
Neville ChamberlainChancellor who implemented the imperial tariff
Maurice FaureFrench politician who analyzed post-war power

关于作者

Kevin O’Rourke 是一位爱尔兰经济历史学家，现任纽约大学阿布扎比分校经济学教授。他因在《脱欧简史：从加入到后备方案》（A Short History of Brexit: From Brentry to Backstop）中对欧洲一体化的深刻分析而广受赞誉。

O’Rourke 曾任牛津大学奇切勒经济史教授及经济政策研究中心研究主任，他将严谨的学术态度与对地缘政治动态的敏锐洞察相结合。他的研究探讨了英国与欧盟之间充满波折的关系，强调了经济根源以及爱尔兰边界的关键作用，这些见解得益于他作为学者和爱尔兰公民的双重视角。

O’Rourke 合著了《全球化与历史》（Globalization and History）和《权力与丰饶》（Power and Plenty）等具有影响力的著作，这些作品审视了数千年来的贸易与冲突。作为英国国家学术院和爱尔兰皇家科学院院士，他的专业知识架起了历史学术研究与当代政策辩论之间的桥梁。

《脱欧简史》被誉为理解公投复杂性的必读指南，巩固了 O’Rourke 作为欧洲经济过去与现状领先发声者的地位。该书因其对 21 世纪最具争议的问题之一所采取的平衡且基于数据的分析方法，在学术界和政界被广泛引用。

下载《英国脱欧简史》摘要

免费获取《英国脱欧简史》摘要的 PDF 或 EPUB 版本。可打印或随时离线阅读。

用户还喜欢

9 Lessons in Brexit

Ivan Rogers

For the Record

David Cameron

The Shortest History of Economics

Andrew Leigh

Black and British

David Olusoga

The Brexit Ledger: Wealth vs. Sovereignty 书籍封面

Ten years on, Brexit's economic impact is becoming clearer

The Brexit decade: was it worth it? | The Spectator

Brexit ten years on: A keynote by the Rt Hon. Lord David Frost - UK in a changing Europe

7 sources

The Brexit Ledger: Wealth vs. Sovereignty

This blessed plot

Hugo Young

A Little History of Economics

Niall Kishtainy

Endgame

Omid Scobie

关于本书的常见问题

发现更多

学习计划

Crossroads of Power: A History of Belgium

This plan provides a deep dive into how a small nation became a pivotal global player. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and political science students seeking to understand the complexities of European state-building.

3 h•6 章节

学习计划

The Cradle of Modern Borders

This plan provides a deep dive into the historical forces and geographic realities that shaped the earliest concepts of national identity and borders. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and political science students looking to understand the ancient roots of modern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern geopolitics.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

Le souffle des ruptures françaises

Ce parcours est essentiel pour saisir comment les crises et les révolutions ont sculpté la nation française. Il s'adresse aux passionnés d'histoire et de sciences politiques souhaitant comprendre les racines des tensions sociales actuelles.

2 h•4 章节

学习计划

Thatcher and the British Disease

This plan provides a deep dive into the pivotal shift from post-war consensus to neoliberalism in the United Kingdom. It is ideal for students of political history, economics, and sociology seeking to understand how radical reform reshapes a nation's identity.

1 h 24 m•4 章节

学习计划

The Biology of Human Empire

This plan bridges the gap between evolutionary biology and historical geopolitics to explain why human societies rise and fall. It is ideal for history buffs, sociologists, and strategists looking to understand the primal drivers of power and systemic collapse.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

The Westminster Policy Duel

This plan provides a deep dive into the ideological battles shaping the United Kingdom's future. It is essential for policy professionals, political analysts, and engaged citizens who want to understand the trade-offs between competing fiscal and social agendas.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

The Mind of History

This plan bridges the gap between historical events and the psychological forces that drove them. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and psychology students seeking to understand the human behavior behind global shifts.

2 h 15 m•4 章节

学习计划

The Bronze Age Catastrophe

This plan is essential for history enthusiasts and strategic thinkers who want to understand how globalized systems can suddenly fail. It offers a deep dive into the fragile interdependence of ancient empires and the external pressures that brought them down.

2 h•4 章节

由哥伦比亚大学校友创建源自旧金山

BeFreed 汇聚全球求知若渴的学习者

4.7

平均评分

7,840+ 条 App 评分

BeFreed Community

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

查看更多网络上关于 BeFreed 的讨论

由哥伦比亚大学校友创建源自旧金山

BeFreed 汇聚全球求知若渴的学习者

4.7

平均评分

7,840+ 条 App 评分

BeFreed Community

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

查看更多网络上关于 BeFreed 的讨论

开启你的学习之旅，就是现在

第 11 章

英国脱欧简史

概述《英国脱欧简史》概述

一本书，多种聆听方式。

When Britain Chose to Leave: The Fateful Decision That Shook Europe

The Scars of War and the Promise of Peace

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Britain's Imperial Mindset and European Hesitation

From European Leader to Reluctant Partner

从 《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

Britain's Failed Alternatives and Eventual Membership

From Golden Age to Thatcherism and the Single Market

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

The Irish Question: From Partition to Peace

Ireland's European Transformation

从 《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

The Path to Brexit

Understanding the Brexit Vote

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

The Brexit Negotiations and the Irish Backstop

你已读完 《英国脱欧简史》

《英国脱欧简史》核心主题

《英国脱欧简史》经典语录

《英国脱欧简史》主要人物

关于作者

下载《英国脱欧简史》摘要

用户还喜欢

关于本书的常见问题

What is A Short History of Brexit about?

Who should read A Short History of Brexit?

Is A Short History of Brexit worth reading?

How does A Short History of Brexit explain the Irish border issue?

发现更多

BeFreed 汇聚全球求知若渴的学习者

BeFreed 汇聚全球求知若渴的学习者

一本书，多种聆听方式。

When Britain Chose to Leave: The Fateful Decision That Shook Europe

The Scars of War and the Promise of Peace

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Britain's Imperial Mindset and European Hesitation

From European Leader to Reluctant Partner

从 《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

Britain's Failed Alternatives and Eventual Membership

From Golden Age to Thatcherism and the Single Market

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

The Irish Question: From Partition to Peace

Ireland's European Transformation

从 《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

The Path to Brexit

Understanding the Brexit Vote

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

The Brexit Negotiations and the Irish Backstop

你已读完 《英国脱欧简史》

用户还喜欢

发现更多

《英国脱欧简史》概述

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

你已读完《英国脱欧简史》

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

从《英国脱欧简史》中收获更多

你已读完《英国脱欧简史》