Ideology and International Relations in the Modern World (The New International History)

Beginning with the French Revolution's injection of ideology into interstate politics, Cassels addresses preoccupations with the collapse of communism and the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in world politics. Examines the roots of the dichotomy in the C20th between traditional egotistical Realpolitik and the assertion that foreign policy should rest on a particular philosophy and set of values. Moves from Machiavellian tradition to social Darwinism, communism and imperialism, Hitler's aims and the nature of ideology during the cold war. Makes accessible a challenging and exciting subject. Cassels traces the part played by ideology in international relations over the past two centuries. Starting with the French Revolution's injection of ideology into interstate politics, he finishes by addressing present-day pre-occupations with the legacy of nationalist discontent left by the collapse of communism and the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in world politics. Cassels includes discussion of Marxism-Leninism, Fascism and Nazism but, eschewing exclusive focus on totalitarian dogma, he also shows how the interplay of the less rigid belief systems of conservatism, liberalism and nationalism influence international affairs. The focus and emphasis given to ideology in an historical survey of such broad scope make this book unusual, and even controversial. Social scientific and philosophical discussions of ideology make only glancing reference to foreign policy. Historians have generally touched on ideology only within the context of the case study, while the realist theorists of international relations play down its influence. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Series editor's preface......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Introduction: Ideology;concept and use......Page 16 Raison d'etat meets the Enlightenment......Page 24 The birth of ideology: the French Revolution......Page 33 Conservatives, liberals and nationalist ideology......Page 56 Ideology and Realpolitik......Page 80 Ideology and mass democracy......Page 100 Ideology and the Great War......Page 129 Enter total ideologies......Page 154 A second global conflict: test of total ideologies......Page 196 Ideology and global politics......Page 222 Conclusion: Power and ideas in international relations......Page 255 Notes......Page 262 Select bibliography......Page 294 Index......Page 300

Alan Cassels traces the part played by ideology in international relations over the past two centuries. Starting with the French Revolution's injection of ideology into interstate politics, Cassels concludes by addressing present day preoccupations with the legacy of nationalist discontent left by the collapse of communism and the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in world politics.

Cassels includes discussion of Marxism-Leninism, Fascism and Nazism but, eschewing exclusive focus on totalitarianism, he also shows how less rigid belief systems impact on international affairs.

World/International History Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 Series editor's preface 10 Preface 12 Introduction: Ideology;concept and use 16 Raison d'etat meets the Enlightenment 24 The birth of ideology: the French Revolution 33 Conservatives, liberals and nationalist ideology 56 Ideology and Realpolitik 80 Ideology and mass democracy 100 Ideology and the Great War 129 Enter total ideologies 154 A second global conflict: test of total ideologies 196 Ideology and global politics 222 Conclusion: Power and ideas in international relations 255 Notes 262 Select bibliography 294 Index 300 Cassels offers a novel perspective on the part played by ideology in international relations over the past two centuries. His treatment is not restricted to the familiar totalitarian ideologies of communism and nazism, but also includes conservatism, liberalism and nationalism. The focus and emphasis given to ideology in an historical survey of such broad scope make this book unusual, and even controversial. Cassels traces the part played by ideology in in ternational relations over the past two centuries. Incorporating political, social, cultural and economic factors he establishes links between ideas and action, ideology and political behaviour