British Social Studies

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Course
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British Social Studies

‘Britishness’ or ‘Englishness’ has been a discourse affected by recent events, political,

social, cultural, and ideological developments and processes. Britishness or the concepts of

British national identity do not depend on fixed particular meanings dominated by conservative

romantic translations and theories. In the generation of ongoing activities such as the falling out

of Britain and Europe, the exposure of England's political identity has resulted in the domination

of conserve MPs within England. Particular narratives and interpretations manipulate the

arbitrated comprehension of Britishness and national identity. The present era represents a

historical time when the Britons are becoming aware of the difference between Britishness and

Englishness. Traditional conservatism has established itself instead of the theories of significant

dualistic myths based on modernism, liberalism, and the sense of inclusivity1. The ongoing

processes such as immigration and devolution are examples of illustrations concerning particular

politicized theories. Historical topics are analyzed to reveal the representation of Britishness as

an intensively politicized identity. The difference in the group or individual identity is expressed

through shared cultural and social norms. However, the difference is not a modern imposition on

British identity but rather present at its foundation.

Linda Colley's modernist standpoint presents a development of cultural and political

ideas of nationalism and a sense of belonging to a nation in the modern generation. It is crucial to

grasp the meaning and importance of the nation. This concept is critical to understanding

national heterogeneity and the formation of different and unique national identities. The

development of British national identity was influence by other definitions of identities as

ideologically synthesized identities2. Therefore British identity has been superimposed over the

differences in reaction to the different meaning of nationalism. The importance of this point of
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view is that sudden social developments need to be put under control with a focus on history to

put the nation-state together or integrate the meaning of national identity.

British identity is also represented in the works of fiction, including Shakespeare’s

speech on the St. Crispin day, delivered by Henry V himself. He had led the soldiers across

Northwestern France to claim the crown of France. King Henry encouraged his troop by

speaking words of motivation. The soldiers proved their dedication by winning the battle and

securing an alliance for the King because they shared a common enemy, history, and religion in

the process of nation-making. The presentation of national identity through mass media has

proven to be a challenge. Shakespeare discovered the importance of writing messages used in the

Second World War that portrayed nationalism and multiculturalism.

Since its foundation, the British nation-state has depended on a weak balance between

loyalties and identities, the internal differences and the fight to maintain a unified and

unshakable national identity. The traditional and conservative ideas of Britishness have become

conceptualized as the primary ideological viewpoint instead of a neutral position. The possible

submergence and re-appearing of a political and cultural concept of Britishness have represented

the fall of the idea of Englishness under the scope of history. Many scholars have argued that

Britishness as the primary identity has become neglected as the prevalence of Englishness has

increased in England. The evaluation of ideological concepts of traditionalism influences the

comprehension of Englishness through an administrated historiographical recognition. The

establishment of traditions has eased the maneuvers of populations through sudden change by

relating to the shared or shared history. The invention of rules can be termed to develop modern

social life around some parts of constant history. The absence of change in history is crucial as

the ultimate change has resulted in the contemporary or present traditions.

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The post-war history of the British Empire has been represented by many examples of

black men and women struggles to claim imperial belonging and Britishness. These claims led to

the phenomenon of migration from the Caribbean to Britain and citizenship, supported by the

British Nationality Act of 19483. When Caribbean Citizens arrived in Britain, they claimed

British citizenship formed bonds in the Empire that were crucial in the recalibration of British

national identity6. The immigrants understood that their position in the Empire and the imperial

society established guarantees for their rights, freedoms, protections and privileges as British

citizens. British citizenship was guaranteed as theirs regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, and

colonial backgrounds.

Many of Britain's allies were involved in fighting against Germany during the Second

World War. They put their lives in danger to ensure the British's victory. The fighters included

black British, West African soldiers and West Indian Servicemen and women. In 1939 when the

British declared war on Germany, many colonies stood by the British and provided their

undivided support. Stephen Bourne sheds light on the statistics of the contributions of West India

and Africa in the war. For instance, he reveals that several thousand West Indians were involved

in the Merchant Navy, and more than 600 British worked in Scotland as lumberjacks. He proves

that the most significant contribution was made in the RAF. Approximately 5000 West Indians

were involved in the RAF, some as aircrew and others as ground staff. The crew arrived in

Britain in 1944, and others joined them in 1945. West Indian women were also involved as there

was limited recruitment of black women to the force4. A small number of the women joined the

Women Auxiliary Air Force while others were allowed in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The

approximated number of African Britons who fought for Britain is 370,000.

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Stephen Bourne presents the details of particular servicemen and women who contributed

to the war's success against German. Amongst the servicemen, Peter Thomas was the first

commissioned African pilot, and Babatunde Alakija was the first African chosen to train with

RAF as a pilot. Peter was born in 1914 in Lagos and had all the qualifications to join the RAF.

He died in a crash landing in the mountains in 1945. The inclusion of servicemen and women in

Britain led to the formation of immigrant communities5. Bourne uses historical narratives and

testimonies to express the intimate experiences of individuals from British colonies. The Second

World War played a significant role in globalization, multiculturalism, and immigration.

National triumph is described in the past and is obscured by the changes brought about by

nationalism which can be used to characterize anti-Immigration within the ideologies of

Englishness in the early 21st century.

Globalization perspective about the ideas of Englishness is an opposing point of view

because of its consequences upon the nation, a sense of national difference and culture within the

context of social change and immigration and an increasingly changing society. The dominant

conservative debates regarding Englishness are defensive narratives intended to respond to the

rapid change in globalization. Many writers argue that globalization is an ambiguous and

contradictory topic. Nationalism and globalization can be viewed as a conflicting relationship in

that it consists of factors such as debatable convenience and ambiguity. Globalization is

considered a threat to the present traditions and national identity perceptions because it is

associated with modernity concepts such as immigration, technological developments, mass

communication, and multiculturalism. The significant changes brought about by globalization

have an evident relationship with the idea of national identity. The economic changes in Britain,

in general, have resulted in the development of cultural identity.

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Globalization induces transparency which encourages profits to support its thriving.

However, it does not solve all problems because if the law is absent, globalization will not

enhance any investment. In the 1990s, when the British economy was stagnant, stadium owners

cut down on funds intended for renovations. This action led to the loss of fans by many soccer

clubs resulting in aggression and hooliganism6. National identity and the fight for the

independence of political identity is portrayed in one of the biggest soccer club named after

Barcelona city. Franco Generalissimo supported Real Madrid, his favourite team and rivals of

Barcelona, using his political power. Barcelona became a paradigm of opposition where

nationalists would express their fears of retribution, claiming that they were supporting their

team rather than a more significant cause. They blamed their loss on referee bribes which was a

common vice during the Franco reign. Foer explains the existence of different groups supporting

different courses, including Catholics and Protestants. Cultural activities such as soccer are the

main perpetrators of globalization and change in traditional ideologies.

The increase of diversity in the European Nations such as France, England and the

Netherlands has caused religious, political and ethnic tensions. Due to this phenomenon, England

has introduced mandatory citizenship education in schools to rebuild the notions of national

identity. Comprehension of the existing contradictions of inclusivity of the English national

identity is crucial to the increase in diversity of racial, ethnic and cultural identities. Some

scholars criticize English citizenship education, viewing it as the cause of failure to recognize

England as a global immigration country supporting multiculturalism. Notions of nationalism

require analysis as an outer phenomenon on the sidelines of national consciousness and their

impact on everyday existence. The presence of conservative discourse in England has led it to be

defined as a country of Victorian values and Kings and Queens. It is difficult for the notion of
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Britishness to set aside its past, which upheld imperial superiority because of its burden of

Empire and race, represented in political rhetoric and guilt of hiding behind neutral concern

about immigration and nationalism.

Britain has supported immigration for many centuries. However, scholars have noted that

postwar immigration was different considering the countries of origin. After the Second World

War, newly independent nation-states were formed, including the British Commonwealth, an

international political entity. The functions of the Commonwealth were symbolic and more legal

than those of the British Empire7. The nations of the Old Commonwealth included New Zealand,

Canada and Australia and the rest of the countries in the British Empire belonged to New

Commonwealth. After the war, immigration to the United Kingdom was mainly from the New

Commonwealth countries. The phenomenon of the New Commonwealth immigration led to the

establishment of the British Nationality act. This act enacted citizenship for all the members of

the United Kingdom Empire. Citizenship was common for all the residents of the Empire and the

UK.

Historians have regarded the Empire as a world belonging only to the masculine gender,

specifically the soldiers, administrators and others of the same kind8. It has taken effort on

feminists' side to change the world's point of view regarding this topic and restore the visibility

of women in society. In the modern era, women who worked as nurses, teachers, and social

reformers are internationally recognized. The tradition of social history comprises gender

imperialism that undermined children experiences. Many historians argue that the perception of

women and children was crucial for the division of gender roles. Scholars have developed a

conflict regarding the effects of the Empire on the lives of women and children. They have come

up with different interpretations regarding this subject. Another crucial topic that has raised
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discourses is child education. The compulsory schooling that arose due to British

competitiveness regarded the imperial administration positively as a powerful vehicle for

dynamic social activity. Many scholars argue that women supported British racial and cultural

sovereignty justifying the imperial rule.

The United Kingdom, a diverse country in Europe, and London as one of its cities, is

multicultural and ethnically diverse. The Britons in this country are of different racial

backgrounds, which led to developing other ethnic groups in Britain. Many citizens of Britain

feel that they have not been sufficiently included in discussing matters concerning national

identity. A significant percentage of children in the British community is from a mixed-race

background. Having this point in mind, it is essential to consider the difference as a norm, not

foreign. The evidence of progress in the integration of different ethnic communities is evident.

The significant intermarriage numbers indicate that 20% of Indian and African men and 30% of

Caribbean women had a white spouse. The results of this suggest that dual ethnicity is growing

first in Britain.

The main concern is the concept of British identity is that there are two possible

perceptions. The chauvinist, xenophobic perception that destroys the pleasant imaginations of a

country devoid of modernity and the perception of a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive identity

supports the hybrid notion that has always been Britain's definition. A healthy political nation is

not dominated by one group alone. Multiculturalism represents the process of increasing

globalization and a specific method of curbing the issues of globalization. Factors of English

experience can also be derived from the concept of multiculturalism. However, institutional

failure to provide inclusivity and national identity has always been attributed to multiculturalism.
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Conservative and traditionalist debates have conceptually changed the meaning of

multiculturalism because of its dependence on the Englishness narrative.

The conservative, traditional concept of Englishness is represented by a past narrative of

exemption, inwardness and the belief of naturalness of freedom and differences unhindered by

Europe. This argument can be supported by producing psychological satisfaction based on a

misunderstanding of past historical events. Henry VIII, Reformation, and the Victorian era can

be viewed as the primary point of reference included in the European Revolutionary wars. A

slight misunderstanding of the past results in manipulating the difference in the meaning of

Englishness and Britishness9. The misinterpretation is always a politically, culturally or

ideologically driven process that has been embedded in the narrative of Englishness. The

separateness from Europe, which is encouraged by the misunderstanding and the wrong

idealizations, has become so prevalent that it is difficult to imagine otherwise.

The dominant forms of English identity can be described as responsive identity. The

notion of groupness developed through the traditional conservative concept of Englishness is

related to racial and cultural groupness. For instance, 'Muslim' represents a cultural and racial

identity and an incompatible idea with Britishness or Englishness. However, the description

related to 'Muslim' does not depend on biological traits like a description of 'black' or Asian10.

This concept indicates the racialization of religion and cultural groups and describes how groups

or individuals are categorized into quasi-racial groups. The element that plays a significant role

in perpetuating this idea is the ideological, discursive and reinforcement of role-playing

enhanced by events and media entrepreneurs.

Scholars consider Europe as the revelation of the global position of post-imperial Britain.

In addition to Britain not being a European power, it is also not a significant power financially,
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politically and militarily. This case has resulted in paradoxical and challenged identity regarding

the power level complex. The traditionalist concept seeks to posit England in an important

position in the periphery of Europe. A current debate implies that world power and Empire are

necessary to provide a positive legacy and develop a golden generation11. This concept means

that Britain is a unique location far from Europe with no designated global and regional

dominance. At this point, the notion of Anglosphere and the particular relation with the United

States becomes evident as a different community based on English foundational characteristics.

Ideologically symbolic concepts have been focused on by the media by using 'us' and 'we'. This

represents the positioning of the idea of a national foundation.

The origins of the conservative traditionalist notion of ‘middle England’ can be attributed

to English cultural and social history. For instance, the nostalgic romanticized Englishness and

the reflections in the French Revolution. One mighty maritime Empire has a common factor

Britain shares with other EU states, including Belgium, France and Germany. However, a nation

without an empire and less effective Protestantism suffers the consequences of the quest for a

different national identity which causes many problems11. Historical separations still destine

England to be separate from Europe. This case results from the traditional conservative

translation of historical events that utilizes an anecdotal legitimator. EU and Europe represent

people being set in dynamic motion relocation from one place to another but ultimately realizing

that all areas are the same. These people also lose the local attachments that added interest to

their lives. This interpretation regards Europe as a Faustian contract between English

cosmopolitan and Europe.

In conclusion, it has become evident that all historical events have indicated the

politicized sense of Englishness and that they are primary causes of change in perception of
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British identity. All aspects of interpretation and conceptualization of Britishness and

Englishness is firmly located within a specific conservative ideology. The past certainties of

British political contexts have disintegrated. The feeling of uncertainty has led many immigrants

in Britain to escape to the conventional concept of Englishness. The bodywork of the paper has

given an analysis of how discursive traditionalist traditional position has become prevalent in the

comprehension of Englishness. The article has also provided the effects of globalization on the

conservative notion.
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Notes

1. Zriba, Hassen. "Exclusiveness and Inclusiveness in the British National Identity."

International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding pp. 79-93.

2. Linda, Colley. "Britons: forging the nation. Introduction, pp. 7-8.

3. Colley, Linda. "Captives: Britain." Empire and the World, Crescent and the sea p. 58

4. Bourne, Stephen. The Motherland Calls: Britain's Black Servicemen & Women,

Statistics: West Indies, p. 32

5. Hampton, Mark. "Chinese Britishness." In Hong Kong and British culture, Chinese

Britishness p. 162

6. Longpre, Nicole Marion. "Anti-Immigrationism and Conservatism, p. 47

7. Foer, Franklin. How soccer explains the world: An unlikely theory of globalization, p. 41

8. Thompson, Andrew Stuart. The Empire strikes back?: the impact of imperialism on

Britain from the mid-nineteenth century, Women and Children p. 115

9. Herbert, Christopher. War of no pity: the Indian mutiny and Victorian trauma, Possession

and National conscience, p. 23

10. Levy, Andrea. Small island. Hachette UK, Gilbert, p. 105

11. Perry, Kennett Hammond. London is the place for me: Black Britons, citizenship, and the

politics of race, Migration, Citizenship, and the Boundaries of Belonging, p. 57

12.
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Bibliography

Colley, Linda. "Captives: Britain." Empire and the World 16001850 (2002).

Foer, Franklin. How soccer explains the world: An unlikely theory of globalization. New York:

HarperCollins, 2004.

Hampton, Mark. "Chinese Britishness." In Hong Kong and British culture, 1945–97. Manchester

University Press, 2015.

Herbert, Christopher. War of no pity: the Indian mutiny and Victorian trauma. Princeton

University Press, 2008.

Levy, Andrea. Small island. Hachette UK, 2009.

Linda, Colley. "Britons: forging the nation, 1707–1837." New Haven: Yale UP (1992).

Longpre, Nicole Marion. "Anti-Immigrationism and Conservatism in Britain, 1955-1981." PhD

diss., Columbia University, 2016.

Perry, Kennetta Hammond. London is the place for me: Black Britons, citizenship, and the

politics of race. Oxford University Press, 2015.

Thompson, Andrew Stuart. The Empire strikes back?: the impact of imperialism on Britain from

the mid-nineteenth century. Pearson Education, 2005.

Zriba, Hassen. "Exclusiveness and Inclusiveness in the British National Identity." International

Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding 5, no. 2 (2018): 79-93.