For the past half decade, British political parties and state institutions have struggled to formulate a new geopolitical role for the United Kingdom. Faced with the twin challenges of departure from the European Union and internal pressure on the unity of the British state, the UK government has recently set out an integrated review of foreign and defence policy. In this week's episode with Matthew Ford, we will explore how these shifts in British military culture have shaped debates about the United Kingdom's unity and identity.
Through his extensive work as a researcher in military affairs, Matthew Ford has provided innovative perspectives on how shifts in military culture and technology have shaped the development of states in Europe and the wider world. In his ground-breaking book, Weapon of Choice: Small Arms and the Culture of Military Innovation, as well as articles in journals such as International History Review and the Journal of Strategic Studies, Matthew has delved into social and technological changes that have affected the British military in ways that are having a profound impact on the unity of the United Kingdom.
The background music is by Through the City by Crowander, and the production for this podcast was by Daniel Mansfield.