Diplomatic Identity in Postwar Britain: The Deconstruction of the Foreign Office "Type", 1945–1997 (Routledge Studies in Modern British History) - Hardcover

Southern, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0367458470 ISBN 13: 9780367458478

Publisher: Routledge, 2021

Synopsis

This book seeks to understand the complex ways in which the Foreign Office adapted to the rise of identity politics in Britain as it administered British foreign policy during the Cold War and the end of the British Empire. After the Second World War, cultural changes in British society forced a reconsideration of erstwhile diplomatic archetypes, as restricting recruitment to white, heterosexual, upper- or middle-class men gradually became less socially acceptable and less politically expedient.

After the advent of the tripartite school system and then mass university education, the Foreign Office had to consider recruiting candidates who were qualified but had not been ‘socialized’ in the public schools and Oxbridge. Similarly, the passage of the 1948 Nationality Act technically meant nonwhites were eligible to join. The rise of the gay rights movement and postwar women’s liberation both generated further, unique dilemmas for Foreign Office recruiters. Diplomatic Identity in Postwar Britain seeks to destabilize concepts like 'talent', 'merit', 'equality' and 'representation', arguing that these were contested ideas that were subject to political and cultural renegotiation and revision throughout the period in question.

About this title

About the Author

James Southern is a historical advisor to the UK Home Office.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0367458470
• ISBN 13: 9780367458478
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 250