ABSTRACT
The post-war Commonwealth was undoubtedly launched on its new size and character by the personal convictions of Jawaharlal Nehru. The doctrine of non-alignment which spread steadily through the post-colonial world of Asia, Africa and the Caribbean put many Commonwealth countries outside the security order which the British, Americans and others were trying to build. At the same time, the entry of the USA into the great range of problems which had preoccupied the Commonwealth gave the association itself a secondary character, the appearance of having few unique functions. The point is that Britain was forced to agree to the virtual complete dismantling of Commonwealth trade arrangements for artificial and mistaken negotiating reasons. Commonwealth trade has been seen as a British liability rather than an asset; most Commonwealth countries have been persuaded that British membership in the European Economic Community must be hostile to their interests; and Britain has become obsessed with the alternatives of Commonwealth or Common Market.
