One of the main political issues plaguing the UK at the moment is the potential referendum on the UK leaving the EU, this has been pushed by Eurosceptics on both Conservative backbenches and also shown through the large number of votes and support of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) at the general election in 2015.
The purpose behind this study is to understand and evaluate the potential consequences of the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union (EU) on the UK’s economic, political and social landscape.
The study will investigate the UK’s relationship and identity with Europe including past referenda and treaties to analyse the public’s opinion on the issue while also concluding that the UK could gain some major benefits such as international trade and a control on immigration from leaving the EU but may lose out on the shaping of Europe, while potentially losing its gateway to Europe status for trade unless the UK’s position could be renegotiated to include continued free trade with Europe. This study is important to be conducted due to the significance of an impending referendum by 2016/17 and is thereby important to evaluate in a non-biased way a guidance for the public to make up their mind.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 General Introduction:
1.2 Objectives of this study:
1.3 Structure of the thesis:
2. Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 History of Referenda:
2.3 History of Opinion Polls:
2.4 Impact on the UK Economy of Leaving the EU:
3. Methodology
3.1 Introduction:
3.2 Data Source:
3.3 SWOT Analysis of the UK leaving the EU on businesses:
4. Findings
4.1 Results of the YouGov Poll:
4.2 Results of SWOT Analysis:
5. Conclusion
5.1 Summary:
5.2 Evaluation:
5.3 Future Work:
Objectives and Research Themes
This study aims to investigate and evaluate the potential economic, political, and social consequences for the United Kingdom should it decide to leave the European Union. By analyzing historical referenda, trends in public opinion, and applying a SWOT analysis, the research seeks to provide a balanced assessment of the benefits and risks associated with such a move, specifically focusing on its impact on businesses and international trade relations.
- Analysis of the UK's historical relationship with the European Union.
- Evaluation of public opinion through the lens of recent polls and referenda.
- Assessment of the economic implications, including trade impacts and regulatory burdens.
- Strategic analysis using the SWOT framework to identify benefits and risks of withdrawal.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 SWOT Analysis of the UK leaving the EU on businesses:
SWOT analysis theory whose origins remain unclear is often credited to Albert Humphrey. SWOT analysis is generally used by businesses in structural planning, it is also usable in understanding the decision of the UK leaving the EU on businesses through both analysing the internal and external factors of this decision. SWOT stands for ‘Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats’. Johnson et al (2015, p. 119) defines this as “SWOT summarises the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability of an organisation that are most likely to impact on strategy development. This can also be useful as a basis against which to generate strategic options and assess future courses of action.” this will be used in understanding the impact on a business many of whom would include this form of analysis in their model in planning the impact of leaving the EU. These will be discussed in the next chapter.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the topic, the history of UK-EU relations, the objectives of the study, and the overall thesis structure.
2. Literature Review: This section critically reviews existing literature concerning historical referenda, opinion polls, and the potential economic impacts of a UK withdrawal from the EU.
3. Methodology: This chapter details the research methods used, specifically the reliance on secondary quantitative data and the application of a SWOT analysis.
4. Findings: This chapter presents the results of the YouGov opinion poll and the findings from the conducted SWOT analysis regarding the UK's potential departure.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the research, evaluates the findings in relation to the initial hypothesis, and suggests areas for future study.
Keywords
European Union, UK Referendum, Brexit, Economic Impact, Public Opinion, SWOT Analysis, Single Market, Trade Relations, Immigration, Monetary Policy, British Politics, International Business, Euroscepticism, UKIP, Sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The research explores the potential economic, political, and social consequences of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.
What are the primary themes discussed in this study?
Key themes include historical referenda, the accuracy and reliability of public opinion polls, economic impacts on trade and businesses, and the strategic advantages and risks of a UK withdrawal.
What is the central research hypothesis?
The central hypothesis tested in this study is that if the United Kingdom left the European Union and became a separate entity, it would greatly benefit.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study primarily utilizes a secondary research approach, analyzing existing public opinion data (such as YouGov and Eurobarometer) and applying a SWOT analysis to identify the internal and external factors of the potential decision.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the history of UK relations with the EU, reviews literature on referenda and economic impacts, discusses the methodology of the study, and presents findings from polls and a strategic SWOT analysis.
Which terms best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Brexit, UK Referendum, Economic Impact, Public Opinion, and SWOT analysis.
How does the author address the reliability of the Eurobarometer data?
The author expresses concern regarding potential bias in Eurobarometer data, noting that it is managed by the European Commission, which may favor pro-integration perspectives, and references critiques about it shifting from research to political advocacy.
What role does the 'Single Market' play in the arguments presented?
The 'Single Market' is analyzed both as a major benefit for UK businesses through reduced trade barriers and as a potential source of risk, specifically concerning whether the UK could maintain similar access if it were to leave the EU.
- Citar trabajo
- William Garner (Autor), 2015, Would the UK Benefit from Leaving the EU at the Next Proposed Referendum?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313141
