Going to War: British Debates from Wilberforce to Blair

Overview

Britain has a culture which encourages interference overseas. It has been involved in more wars than most countries and been the home of many NGOs. Going to War looks at how pressure groups, religious bodies, armchair strategists, science fiction writers, military officers, commentators and journalists have tried to influence public opinion, governments and Parliament to restrain or encourage overseas intervention. It shows how the old idea that the great majority were simple-minded enthusiasts for foreign incursions has been discredited by pollsters, and concludes with an analysis of Britain's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, suggesting ways in which the governmental system could be modified both to reflect public opinion and to give greater opportunity for widespread discussion in future.