States in commonwealth with Great Britain. When the British Commonwealth of Nations came into being

Foundations of the Commonwealth

After the British Empire lost 13 American colonies, leaving behind Canada, India, some possessions in the West Indies and a number of scattered and remote settlements, two political lines were outlined in the metropolis. The first assumed an orientation towards the expansion of British influence in India and on Far East... The second line, along with the expansion of this influence (in the interests of British industry and in order to save public spending), allowed the development of self-government in the colonies in order to prevent a repeat of the War of Independence of the North American colonies.

The term "Commonwealth of Nations" was first coined by the British Prime Minister Lord Roseberry in 1884. The beginning of the Commonwealth was laid by the colonial conference held in London in 1887, at which the foundations of the new colonial policy were consolidated: from now on, the most developed colonies were granted the status of dominions - autonomous quasi-state formations (later - in fact independent states), while they all became part of the British Commonwealth of Nations - an association designed to rally the vast British Empire. These dominions were Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, the Dominion of Newfoundland and Ireland.

The 1926 Conference of Prime Ministers of Great Britain and British Possessions adopted the Balfour Declaration, in which Great Britain and the Dominions recognized that these states have “equal status and are not dependent on one another in any aspect of their internal or foreign policy despite the fact that they share a common loyalty to the Crown and free membership in the British Commonwealth of Nations. "

The legal status of the Commonwealth was consolidated on December 11, 1931, and until 1947 it was a kind of union of states, each of which was united with Great Britain by a personal union (that is, the British monarch was recognized as the head of the dominions).

Development

Membership in the Commonwealth is open to all countries that recognize the main goals of its activities. There must also be past or present constitutional ties between the candidate for membership and the UK or another member of the Commonwealth. Not all members of the organization have direct constitutional ties with the UK - some of the South Pacific states were under the rule of Australia or New Zealand, and Namibia from the 1990s under the control of South Africa. Cameroon became a member of the Commonwealth in 1995. Only part of its territory was under British control under the mandate of the League of Nations (-) and under a trusteeship agreement with the UN (1946-1961).

For the first time, the rule of the host country's ties with Great Britain was violated in relation to Mozambique, a former colony of Portugal, it was admitted to the Commonwealth in 1995 after the triumphant restoration of South Africa's membership and the first democratic elections in Mozambique. Mozambique was asked for by its neighbors, all of whom were members of the Commonwealth and wanted to help Mozambique overcome the damage done to the economy of this country in connection with its opposition to the regimes of the white minority in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa. In 1997, the heads of state of the Commonwealth nevertheless decided that the issue of Mozambique should be viewed as a special case that does not create a precedent for the future.

Failed membership

Suspension of participation in the affairs of the Commonwealth

V last years there were several cases of suspension of the participation of members of the Commonwealth "in the activities of the Councils of the Commonwealth" (in meetings of leaders and ministers of member countries) for obvious violations of democratic rules of governance. This measure does not terminate the membership of this state in the Commonwealth.

Great Britain remained huge for a long time colonial empire however, in the nineteenth century, its political course was revised. British Commonwealth nations - a voluntary union of several countries, originally concluded in order to change relations with the colonies of the empire. The association still functions successfully today, however, the initial principles of work and modern policy are significantly different.

Historical background

After the colonies of Britain achieved recognition of independence on the territory of America, only the territory of Canada remained under the rule of the crown. This entailed a revision of British policy towards a more loyal foreign political course, as well as the possibility of the autonomy of the colonies under the rule of local politicians.

The first colony, where a parliament and local government appeared, however, under the control of representatives of Britain, was. At the same time, Great Britain reserved the right to make a final decision on a number of political issues - this concerned, first of all, control of the land, foreign political activity and trade relations, defense issues and the actual norms of the local constitution on the territory of the colony. But all restrictions were removed before the end of the First World War.

Fundamental principles

The Basic Principles of the Commonwealth of Nations were first drawn up at the end of the nineteenth century, as part of a colonial conference held in London. The most developed colonial territories in the British empire after changing the course of foreign policy, they were supposed to become autonomous entities, however, in reality it looked like the recognition of the independence of the countries within Great Britain. The first dominions were Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Ireland, Newfoundland.

The Second World War became a significant stage in the history of the association. After the end of hostilities, the sign of belonging to Great Britain was removed from the name of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The subsequent declaration of independence of India and the establishment of a republic on its territory led to the need to revise the basic principles. The main areas of activity were humanitarian missions, including educational ones, which were not supposed to influence domestic policy countries. All members of the union were given equal rights - regardless of the level of the economy. Each member can leave the Commonwealth voluntarily at any time. and also take advantage of the possibility of temporary suspension of membership.

Commonwealth members

Now the Commonwealth includes fifty-three countries, including Great Britain. The total population of the participating countries is almost 1.8 billion, which is about thirty percent of the world population. Formally chapter seventeen former colonies, which are called the Kingdoms of the Commonwealth, are ruled by the monarch of Great Britain, but this does not prevent some countries from denying the power of Britain, without changing their own status within the union.

Not all countries that are part of the Commonwealth today were formerly colonies British Empire - for example, Mozambique.

Management and control

The head of the Commonwealth of Nations is the British monarch, Elizabeth II, but this is a symbolic position that does not imply actual functions. The post of the head of this association is not inherited - in the event of a change of the monarch, the new head will be elected at a meeting of all members of the Commonwealth. The administrative work of the union is overseen by the Secretariat, which is headquartered in London.

Lost 13 colonies, leaving only Canada on the North American continent.

In this regard, the metropolis began to form two different points of view on the future policy of Britain in relation to overseas possessions... Supporters of one advocated expanding British influence in India and the Far East, while supporters of the second believed that expanding influence was certainly necessary, but self-government should be allowed in the colonies in order to prevent a repeat of the War of Independence of the North American colonies.

Gradually, reforms began to be carried out, as a result of which the differences became even more obvious between the colonies in which the development of territories was carried out by settlers from Britain and where there were already prospects for the development of self-government, and those territories where, after the conquest, direct forms of British rule were established.

Despite a lot of differences, both the colonies were more or less independent state entities with the local government, which had the right to conduct an independent policy.

This approach gave impetus to the development of parliamentary forms of government in the colonies and the ability to establish the rule of law. The latter was greatly facilitated by the spread of in English, its use in the administrative and educational fields.

While the metropolis was discussing the development of self-government in the colonies, Canada took the initiative and in 1837 Upper and Lower Canada revolted. The main demand was the consolidation of the rights of colonial self-government, which were first established by American revolutionaries 60 years ago.

The authorities reacted quite quickly and in 1839 Lord Durham, Governor-General of the British North America, made a proposal to form a government cabinet in the colonies by analogy with the British one.

This colonial assembly and the executive branch responsible to it received the right to exercise control over domestic politics, however, Great Britain retained the right to a decisive vote in the following areas of colonial policy:

• control over state land,
• the form of colonial constitutions,
• foreign policy,
• international trade,
• defense.

All of these restrictions were lifted before the end of the First World War.

Development

The term "Commonwealth of Nations" was first used by the British Prime Minister Lord Roseberry in 1884. Officially, the basis of the new colonial policy and the status of the Commonwealth were consolidated at the Colonial Conference held in London in 1887.

The most developed colonies acquired the status of dominions. Now they have become, de jure, autonomous quasi-state entities, and de facto - independent states. However, this did not in any way affect their entry into the British Commonwealth of Nations - an association designed to rally the huge British Empire.

Among the first dominions to emerge were Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, and later the Union of South Africa, the Dominion of Newfoundland and Ireland.

The Second World War became one of the most significant stages in the history of the Commonwealth. After its completion, or rather, since 1946, from the "British Commonwealth of Nations" this association became simply the "Commonwealth of Nations".

Events in India, which gained independence in 1947 and established a republican form of government on its territory, prompted a fundamental revision of the provisions on the existence of the Commonwealth.

In addition to the name change, the goals of the association's activities were also corrected: now humanitarian missions, educational activities, etc. are at the forefront. Within the framework of the Commonwealth, states differing in the level of development and nature of the economy have received the opportunity to cooperate at a new level as equal partners.

According to the new agreements, each of the Commonwealth countries has the unconditional right to unilaterally withdraw from the organization.

Member countries

The Commonwealth today includes 17 countries (not counting the UK), which are also called the Commonwealth Kingdoms. The total population of the Commonwealth countries is about 1.8 billion, which is about 30% of the total population of the planet. Formally, the head of these states is recognized by the British monarch, who is represented by the governor-general.

This does not prevent most of the participating countries from recognizing the authority of the British crown, which in no way affects their status within the Commonwealth. It is initially not a political organization and therefore Great Britain has no right to interfere in the politics of its members.

Not all of the countries that make up the Commonwealth today had colonial ties with the British Empire. The first of these countries to join the organization was Mozambique. The Commonwealth has never included Burma and Aden, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. There were cases of secession from the Commonwealth (Zimbabwe), including with the subsequent restoration of membership. For example, this was the case with Pakistan, South Africa.

Structure of the British Commonwealth

The head of the Commonwealth of Nations is the British monarch, today this post is occupied by Elizabeth II. The post of head of the Commonwealth is not a title and is not inherited. With the change of the monarch, the heads of government of the member states of the Commonwealth will have to make a formal decision on the appointment of a new head of the organization.

Administrative direction is carried out by the Secretariat, which has been headquartered in London since 1965. Since 2008, the Commonwealth Secretariat is headed by Kamalesh Sharma (India).

• Free electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia, section "Commonwealth of Nations".
• Free electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia, section "British Empire".
• Free electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia, section "Overseas territories".
• Great Soviet Encyclopedia
• Encyclopedia Around the World

TYPOLOGY OF COUNTRIES. FORMS OF GOVERNANCE

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

States within the Commonwealth . This is a special form state structure in the member states of the Commonwealth (British), which recognize the Queen of Great Britain as the head of state.

In 1931, Great Britain, which began to lose its dependent territories, united its former and present colonies as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, from 1947 it became known as the Commonwealth.

By the beginning of 2007, the Commonwealth included 53 independent states and territories dependent on Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, in which 1.7 billion people lived (30% of the world population).

The head of the Commonwealth is the Queen of Great Britain. Most of the Commonwealth member states - republics (32), 6 - monarchies(Brunei, Lesotho, Malaysia, Swaziland, Samoa, Tonga), 16 countries recognize the Queen of Great Britain as the head of state, that is, formally they are constitutional monarchies. The Commonwealth includes formally equal countries, but differing in level economic development, ethnic, religious composition of the population.

Member countries of the Commonwealth have single state language- English, similar systems of legislation, education, public service. All states of the Commonwealth have full sovereignty in their internal and external affairs. Commonwealth does not have a single constitution, no union-contractual agreements, no official attributes; it does not appear in the international arena (for example, in the UN, in any international actions, etc.). The decisions of its annual conferences are invalid for the country that did not vote for them.

Commonwealth members can be excluded from its composition for actions contrary to the charter (military coups, human rights violations, civil wars ), and also have an unconditional the right to unilateral exit. So, in 1972, he left the Commonwealth Pakistan, was re-adopted in 1989, expelled in 1999 and re-adopted in 2004. In 1961, excluded for the policy of apartheid South Africa which re-entered in 1994 Fiji was excluded in 1987, membership renewed in 1997, suspended in 2006, excluded in 1995 Nigeria, then re-adopted in 1999, excluded in 2002 Zimbabwe.

The Commonwealth finances and organizes for its members international programs to protect environment, education, scientific and technical cooperation, takes measures to increase mutual trade, etc.

Member countries of the British Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Nations British Commonwealth of Nations- an association of independent states that were formerly part of the British Empire, recognizing the British monarch as a symbol of free unity.
The Commonwealth includes (at the end of 2009): Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South African Republic, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago , Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Malta, Gambia, Botswana, Guyana, Lesotho, Barbados, Mauritius, Swaziland, Nauru, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Bangladesh, Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon islands, Tuvalu, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Kiribati, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Zimbabwe, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Maldives, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Brunei, Vanuatu, Rwanda.
The British Commonwealth of Nations replaced the British Empire, which from the beginning of the 20th century. began to gradually lose their colonies.
First, the overseas territories inhabited mainly by British colonists lost their character of colonies. Canada received the status of dominion, that is, a self-governing territory, in 1867, Australia in 1901, and New Zealand in 1907. Subsequently, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and some other colonies with local population... In 1931, a separate parliamentary act instead of the term "empire" introduced the concept of Commonwealth (Commonwealth). The British Commonwealth of Nations was formed, that is, a union of formally equal states based on "common loyalty to the crown." In 1949-1952, significant changes took place in the organizational structures of the Commonwealth, aimed at asserting the sovereignty of its members. The term "British" has dropped from the name of the Commonwealth, and the principle of loyalty to the crown is mandatory. Since 1965, conferences of its members have become the governing body of the Commonwealth of Nations. Under the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, a permanent secretariat began to function. He took over the functions of the former Cabinet of Ministers of Great Britain and the Department of Commonwealth Affairs, which was liquidated after the formation of the Secretariat.
The British Empire began to evolve from the time of the Balfour Declaration, which was proclaimed at the Imperial Conference of 1926 and was formalized in the Declaration of the Westminster Statute of 1931.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the collapse of the British Empire ended - and the Commonwealth of Nations was fully formalized, which united most of the former British possessions. Now the main role of the head of the Commonwealth, who is now the queen, has become the need to maintain ties between the countries of the Commonwealth among themselves and with the former metropolis. The Queen has often played an important role in restoring broken relations with the Commonwealth countries and smoothing out controversies.
In 2007, secret documents were discovered indicating that in 1956, French Prime Minister Guy Mollet and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden discussed the possibility of an alliance between Great Britain and France. At the same time, it was possible that Elizabeth II could become the head of state in France. [A source?]
As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth II should not publicly express her political sympathies or antipathies. She has always complied with this rule, acting non-publicly - therefore, her political views remain unclear. But there is evidence that the queen is leaning towards the point of view of the so-called "One Nation". During the reign of Margaret Thatcher, it was known that the Queen was worried that her policies could lead to serious social problems. It is known that Margaret Thatcher once said: "The problem is that the Queen is the type of woman who can vote for the Social Democratic Party."

British Automotive Rolls-Royce is currently working on a new coupe called the Ghost. The company is positioning the new super-car as the highest-speed car in the entire history of the "elite" brand.