ABSTRACT
The United Kingdom has differed from most of its European neighbours in that it has enjoyed a notable longevity in its constitutional arrangements. The last time England was invaded successfully was in 1066. The last time it had a major constitutional upheaval was in 1688, and even then the continuity of institutions was stressed. The differences extend beyond constitutional history to the nation's role in world affairs. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the country was at the heart of an empire - an empire that was still in existence in the wake ofthe Second World War. Britain also has a tradition of acting as a balancer in power relationships in Europe, distancing itself from efforts to build supreme European powers and taking sides only to restore order.' This history has shaped British attitudes towards the post-1945 movement for European integration.
