Analysis an policy developments and institutional strategies of the British two main parties towards European Montary Union

在这个研究项目中，我关注了英国两个主要政党对欧洲货币联盟(EMU)的政策发展与他们在制度改革方面的战略之间的动态互动。此外，我还分析了政党领导人对欧洲货币联盟态度的逐渐发展，以及它对英国加入欧洲单一货币(欧元)前景的影响。本研究项目的主要成果是，在两大主要政党对欧元区的政策发展方面，基于历史制度主义的方法，构建了一个连贯的解释框架。保守党领导人对英国加入欧元区持否定态度，可以视为其中央集权战略的体现。保守党领导人一方面寻求在国家层面的政治机构内部促进集权，另一方面试图在超国家的欧盟层面上抵制欧洲一体化。这种态度清楚地表明，保守党对英国政治日益欧洲化的态度有所退缩。相比之下，工党领导层对英国加入欧元区的积极态度可以被视为其权力下放战略的体现。工党领导层似乎奉行权力下放战略，这带来了各种宪法改革计划。一方面，工党领导层支持从国家机构到地区或地方机构的分权进程，另一方面，它欢迎欧盟层面的某种程度的进一步一体化。这种态度可以概括为工党为准备加入欧元区而改革英国政治机构的努力，这是欧洲化的一个关键方面。

In this research project, I focused on the dynamic interaction between policy development of the two main parties in Britain towards European Monetary Union (EMU) and their strategies in terms of institutional reform. In addition, I made an analysis-of gradual development of party leaders' attitudes on EMU, as well as its impact on the prospect with regard to British entry into the European single currency (euro). Furthermore, I tried to deepen my analysis by using the concept of "Europeanization", which has been drawing academic attention recently.The main achievement of this research project is that it formulated a coherent explanatory framework based on historical institutionalist approach, in terms of policy development of the two main parties towards EMU.Conservative leadership's negative attitude on Britain's euro entry can be seen as a manifestation of its centralising strategy.On the one hand, Conservative leadership seeks to facilitate centralisation within national level of political institutions, and on the other hand, it tries to resist European integration at the supranational EU level. This attitude shows a clear sign of retrenchment towards growing Europeanization of British politics on the part of Conservative Party.By contrast, Labour leadership's positive attitude on Britain's euro entry can be seen as a manifestation of its decentralising strategy. Labour leadership seems to pursue decentralising strategy which has brought forth various constitutional reform programs. On the one hand, Labour leadership favours decentralisation process from national institutions to regional or local institutions, and on the other hand, it welcomes a certain degree of further integration at the EU level. This attitude could be summarised as Labour's effort to transform British political institutions in preparation for euro entry, which is a crucial aspect of Europeanization.