Britain, European Civilisation, and the Idea of Liberty

The complex web of intellectual exchanges between Britain and Europe remains a peripheral concern for historians interested in the circulation of ideas across national, international and imperial frameworks. This special issue attempts to fill the lacuna by presenting new research on the triangular relationship between Britain, Europe and the idea of liberty during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The articles featured in this issue revisit established narratives, discuss novel case-studies and address the question of Britain's special relationship with liberty in an age marked by impediments to the freedom of movement and the erection of nationalist boundaries across Europe, and the world.

Listen to a podcast about this special issue of HEI, which was guest-edited by Dr. Georgios Giannakopoulos (KCL), featuring contributors such as Dr. Thomas Jones (Buckingham), Dr. Laura Foster (Durham), Dr. Dina Gusejnova (LSE) Professor Jeannie Morefield (Birmigham) and Professor Richard Toye (Exeter).