Steering the ‘Unwieldy Barge’: Britain, the US, and the Rise of Post-Bretton Woods Economic Multilateralism
Abstract
This article challenges two conventional wisdoms. First, that it was the Ford administration that drove multilateral responses to the economic and energy crises of the mid-1970s. Second, that British influence on US policy therein was minimal given Britain’s economic weakness and strained Anglo-American relations. This is not the full story. The Labour governments actually played a much more significant role than hitherto credited in steering the Ford administration towards multilateralism. Moreover, during this process the special relationship was successfully evolved, claims to exclusive bilateralism being down-played in favour of Britain being positioned as first ally amongst many in multilateral fora.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical and Contemporary Political Dynamics
Political and Economic history of UK and US
International Development and Aid
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Diplomacy and Statecraft
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 530–566
- Publication date
- 3 April 2026
- Language
- EN