NORMAN ANGELL AND THE FUTILITY OF WAR

NORMAN ANGELL AND THE FUTILITY OF WAR

NORMAN ANGELL AND THE FUTILITY OF WAR Peace and the Public Mind ]. D. B. Miller Professor of International Relations Research School of Pacific Studies Australian National University, Canberra Palgrave Macmillan

J. D. B. Miller 1986 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1986 All rights reserved. For information, write: St. Martin's Press, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010 Published in the United Kingdom by The Macmillan Press Ltd. First published in the United States of America in 1986. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Miller, J. D. B. Oohn Donald Bruce), 1922- Norman Angell and the futility of war. Bibliography: p. Includes index. I. Peace. 2. War. 3. Angell, Norman, Sir, 1874-1967. I. Title. JX1952.M514 1986 327.1'72 85-18378 ISBN 978-1-349-07525-6 ISBN 978-1-349-07523-2 (ebook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-07523-2

For Dan and Joanna

Contents Priface IX 1. LIFE AND ASSOCIATIONS 2. ILLUSION AND FUTILITY 25 3. PUBLIC MIND AND COLLECTIVE 53 SECURITY 4. HISTORY AND ANGELL'S PROPOSITIONS: 79 THE TWO WORLD WARS 5. NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND 105 INTERNATIONAL ANARCHY 6. OPINION, IDEALS AND REALISM 124 Notes and Riferences 143 Bibliography 154 Index 163 VB

Preface People who produce ideas about public affairs - especially international affairs - are rarely original in everything they say, and are sometimes inconsistent. Moreover, they are inclined to repeat themselves. These assertions can be made about Norman Angell, as about John Stuart Mill and Edmund Burke. However, each of these men had things to say which were of major importance in their time, and which remain relevant because of the insight they display. In this book I have tried to explain Norman Angell's ideas, and to consider how significant they have proved to be. He is remembered mainly as the author of The Great Illusion, and incorrectly as the man who said war was impossible because it would not pay. In this particular connection his ideas need to be clearly stated so that there is less room for error about what he actually said. In addition, however, he was greatly concerned with questions involving public opinion, or what he called the public mind - issues of what people believed the world of states to be like, of how support for war was engendered, of whether education could work for peace rather than against it. Confronted by the basic anarchy of the international system, and by the apparent determination of peoples to put national power and unrealisable national objectives ahead of peace and prosperity, Angell strove to find rational solutions which could be made acceptable to the people around him. Realistic and sceptical by nature, he continued in this vein in spite of setbacks and disappointments. The problems which he addressed have changed in some respects because of technological change and shifts in world power; but they continue to trouble us to such an extent that Angell's solutions, together with the difficulties he encountered, are still of value. How far his realism extended, and whether he should be seen as an impractical idealist, are matters of importance which are considered here. IX

x Preface The book begins with a brief account of Angell's life and associations, proceeds to discuss his main ideas, and goes on to ask how history has dealt with his propositions, and what lessons we can learn from him. Numerous people have helped me with this enterprise. Foremost among them are Eric Lane (Angell's nephew) and his family, including John Jacoby. I am also much indebted to Ball State University, Indiana, in particular to the Special Collections section of the Bracken Library, where Angell's papers are kept. Other libraries which have assisted me are those of the Australian National University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford (Bodleian Library), the London School of Economics (British Library of Political and Economic Science), and Columbia and Princeton Universities. Amongst people who have given me information and criticism, and to whom I am truly grateful, are Louis Bisceglia, Hedley Bull, Alice Everard, William T. R. Fox, F. H. Hinsley, Anna Hohri, Michael Howard, Robert Huston, Martin Indyk, James Joll, James Lees-Milne, Toby Miller and James Piscatori. It would have been difficult to produce the manuscript on time without the careful management of Glenys Noble. Lynne Payne was a most understanding typist. A large part of the book was written in the house of Dan and Joanna Rose, to whom it is dedicated. Words cannot express the delight of being part of their family; but they already know something of how I feel, and the rest can be sensed. My wife has given me the support, encouragement and criticism which time has led me to expect, but which always seem new and exciting. J. D. B. M.