Book Survey

This book surveys Britain´s foreign policy since 1870. Conventional accounts stress the rulers´ benevolent rhetoric: I present the evidence that refutes this superficial, liberal view.

Britain´s economy is the key to understanding its foreign policy: capitalism causes a conflict-ridden foreign policy. The rulers´ focus has been on seizing profits from abroad, for which they have sacrificed the welfare of the British people. British governments - Conservative, Liberal and Labour alike - have represented the tiny minority who own the means of production, and have opposed the great majority who have to work for a living.

The ruling class´s external focus has also damaged relations with other countries and helped to produce the two recurring types of war - wars between rival empires and wars against national liberation.