How Britain shaped its role in world affairs from 1790 to 1865, and what the law of nations really meant in that era.
This edition examines the development of intervention and non-intervention as a guiding principle in international relations. It explains how nations governed their external actions when no central authority decides the rules, and why British policy often faced scrutiny for acting in its own interests. The work lays out the idea that a trustworthy state earns influence by consistently applying just principles, even when doing so is costly or risky.
- Understand the key debates on international law and the limits of interference in other states.
- See how concepts like “non-intervention” were argued, applied, and sometimes misconstrued in the 19th century.
- Explore historical examples and counterexamples that shaped Britain’s diplomacy and its reputation abroad.
- Learn how ideas about justice, power, and national responsibility influenced policy and practice.
Ideal for readers of history and political science who want a clear, accessible account of Britain’s foreign policy and the evolving rules of international conduct during a pivotal era.