ABSTRACT
The story of postwar British global policy as an inevitable process of recognising reduced material power is, however, insufficient. Such an approach tells us little about the evolving perceptions of British policy-makers and why critical changes of direction occurred at particular moments. In particular, it fails to take account of Britain's sense of its special contribution in the world, derived from its history and sense of responsibiliry. At the end of the century, despite its reduced global military presence, the UK is still an actor involved in most substantial world issues and it still retains a seat on the United Nations Securiry Council.
