MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE USA AND GREAT BRITAIN: POLITICAL NARRATIVES, POPULAR CULTURE, AND IDENTITY CONFLICTS (2017–2021)

DOI 10.17721/2521-1706.2025.20.6

Nazarii Lutsenko,

Ph.D. (Нistory), Assistant Professor, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7552-6504

Abstract. The article analyzes the mutual perceptions of the United States and Great Britain in political discourse, the media environment, and popular culture, as well as the influence of these factors on the formation of bilateral relations.

The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive examination of cultural and identity-related factors that shaped the content and dynamics of the special relationship between the USA and Great Britain in 2017–2021.

Methodology. The study employs historiographical analysis and the historical-comparative method to examine the official visits and meetings of state leaders and ministers. Content analysis of U.S. and British media outlets is conducted. In addition, the method of cultural-historical interpretation is applied to analyze the representation of both countries in popular culture, which makes it possible to assess the impact of political and social processes on their mutual perceptions.

The scientific novelty lies in the analysis of American and British media and popular culture in order to identify the specific features of media and cultural representations of bilateral relations between Washington and London.

The article concludes that in 2017–2021 mutual representations of the United States and Great Britain in the media, political statements, and cultural narratives reproduced the idea of strategic closeness between the two states. The United Kingdom’s foreign policy strategy “Global Britain” and the U.S. National Security Strategy of 2017 identified culture as one of the key factors in shaping their policy. During 2017–2021, a series of meetings of state leaders took place, accompanied by symbolic statements reaffirming the special nature of bilateral relations. Bilateral conferences functioned as platforms for articulating shared foreign policy objectives. At the same time, intense debates continued in the British and American media regarding specific events, including Brexit, the signing of a new trade agreement and the marriage of British Prince Harry and the American actress Meghan Markle.

Key words: USA, Great Britain, special relationship, political narratives, identity, media.

Submitted: 09.09.2025

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