After your initial post (Brexit and Beyond – “Beyond Brexit – My Essay You Did”), you are required to respond to one of your classmates’ postings. Your responses should include what you agree with or disagree with and why. Your responses may also include an elaboration upon what a classmate wrote. Your response posts (each around 250 words).
Student Discussion Post to Reply to:
When looking at the issues that led to the drastic decision known as “Brexit”, it is important to highlight the social and economic influences. Socially, something that was at the center of the discussion was immigration. What about immigration sparked concern in British politicians and people? Many felt as if the influx of immigrants into Britain was compromising to the citizens and put them on the back burner. The idea of “Brexit” on its own had much to do with British nationalism and feeling as though British people needed to be prioritized again. That is why it was appealing to those who wanted to vote to “leave” the European Union. Furthermore, another topic that was being widely addressed was the idea that Britain did not have the level of autonomy they wanted. British politicians claimed that being a part of the European Union meant that the country could not make important decisions regarding issues such as immigration and foreign policy in a more impactful way. Thus, in order to resolve this, leaving the European Union would allow Britain to have more of a say. In other words, British people felt threatened by the increase of foreigners and ultimately believed that becoming homogeneous was not possible. They feared the implications this would have for citizens and their country. In terms of economic influences, many saw leaving the European Union as another way to have more mobility in the free market. However, after the referendum vote passed, there were many issues that would arise as a result. The British economy did in fact take a hit after leaving the European Union. Moreover, Britain faces issues that revolve around their self imposed alienation. Leaving the European Union meant that Britain had to reestablish certain relationships and address foreign trade and policy in a new light as an individual, away from the rest of the members of the European Union
