Blair’s Legacy: ‘International Community’, Domestic (In)security and the Continuing Erosion of Civil Liberties

Abstract

This chapter traces the development of Blair’s position on international society, emphasising the normative underpinnings which he stressed throughout his premiership. It uses a common good approach to analyse the economic dimensions of Blair’s doctrine, as that was presented by Gordon Brown from his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer up to the present day. Central here is Brown’s ‘new Marshall Plan’, a programme which is assessed in relation to the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Finally, this chapter explores the implications of UK government’s continuing attacks on civil liberties, many of which have been justified through tacit appeals to Blair’s model and by extension to Bush’s doctrine of international relations.