Title:
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The elimination of war: an examination of the work of Sir Norman Angell
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In this thesis I have aimed to do three things. First, to show
the principal ideas of Sir Norman Angell as they reveal themselves in
his work. Second, to show the change and development of those ideas
through the course of his life, and to see how they relate to changing
circumstances. Third, to examine whether he influenced the course
of British foreign policy, To do these three things I have first discussed
his work in terms of related themes, and then I have considered these
themes alongside the development of British foreign policy from approximately
the turn of the century to the late 1950's.
Whilst there has been interest shown in some aspects of Angell's
writings by other scholars, my own work is the first attempt to bring
together the whole of his writings in a comprehensive and systematic
treatment. From first to last the extent of Sir Norman Angell's writing
has been prodigious, amounting to over forty books and hundreds of articles.
I hope that in attempting to distil his writing into a number of Significant
themes I have managed to do justice to his purpose and preserved the
perspective of his work. Naturally I have drawn upon material from wide
and diverse sources, and I am accordingly indebted to a great number of
people who have at some time provided me with information.
Two persons should, however, receive especial mention.
Sir Norman Angell has been most kind in allowing me to look through
some of the more historical material, e.g. editions of War and Peace:
A Norman Angell Monthly, and the work of the International Polity
Summer School held in July, 1914, at his home in Haslemcre. The
greater part of his books, documents and letters, have been given by
him to the State Ball Teachers' College in Indiana. He has also been
unsparing in the opportunities that he has given me to talk with him
about his work and about British foreign policy. For his hospitality,
encouragement, and other acts of kindness, I wish to thank him most
sincerely.
I am also indebted to Professor Martin Wight of Sussex
University. His generous advice and guidance has encouraged me
throughout my work. To him I wish to express my gratitude.
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