Britain and the Politics of Rhodesian Independence

First published in 1978, Britain and the Politics of Rhodesian Independence is a study of British policy towards Rhodesia and an account of the failure of both Labour and Conservative governments to find a satisfactory solution to its ’decolonization’. The essential bar to a solution was that the British government had, in Rhodesia, responsibility but no power. Force being ruled out, and sanctions ineffective, nothing remained but the diplomacy of detente, while the two sides in Rhodesia itself moved closer and closer to deadlock.

This study provides a balanced and clear analysis of the developments essential to an understanding of the events in Rhodesia. Covering the period 1964-77, with an introduction to the issue as it arose in 1962-3, the attitudes of successive British governments are examined and the pressures affecting their responses considered. A concluding section looks at the international repercussions in 1976-7 and the reactions of the United Nations to the situation then. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of history, politics, and international relations.

Elaine Windrich was formerly Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, USA.