This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. What would be the implications of a major European power leaving the European Union (EU)? Political movements in two of the most influential member states, the United Kingdom and France, have courted an EU withdrawal for decades. In recent years, however, the potential for a withdrawal has increased drastically due to the rise of two populist political parties—Britain's United Kingdom Independence Party and France's National Front. A British or French withdrawal from the EU would have security, economic, and legal implications both domestically and internationally. With the change in the EU, other international organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), might assume an increased role or be subject to erosion. This study explores the eurosceptic movement and the causes of such sentiment. It then examines the most influential eurosceptic groups in Britain and France, analyzing their histories and comparing their goals. This study concludes with an assessment of the potential effects on the EU and NATO if Britain and/or France were to withdraw from the EU.

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION * A. MAJOR RESEARCH QUESTION * B. IMPORTANCE * C. PROBLEMS AND HYPOTHESES * D. METHODS AND RESOURCES * E. THESIS OVERVIEW * CHAPTER II - EUROSCEPTICISM: DEFINITION AND CAUSES * A. PREVALENCE OF EUROSCEPTIC OPINION * B. CAUSES OF EUROSCEPTICISM * C. CRITICISM OF EUROSCEPTICISM * CHAPTER III - BREXIT AND FREXIT * A. BRITAIN * 1. UKIP * 2. Conservatives * B. FRANCE * C. COMPARISON OF BRITISH AND FRENCH EUROSCEPTIC PARTIES * D. FUTURE PROSPECTS: A UKIP-FN ALLIANCE? * CHAPTER IV - ANALYSIS: BREXIT/FREXIT IMPLICATIONS * A. PROGRESSION OF EU SECURITY AND DEFENSE * B. NATO-EU RELATIONSHIP * C. POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON EU SECURITY AND DEFENSE * D. POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON NATO * 1. Scenario 1: Split Decision * 2. Scenario 2: No Effects * 3. Scenario 3: Complete Loss of Confidence * E. SECONDARY INTERNATIONAL EFFECTS * CHAPTER V - CONCLUSION