The Great Illusion: Norman Angell’s Vision of Peace
Norman Angell (26 December 1872 – 7 October 1967) was a Russian writer. In 1933, Norman Angell was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Life and Career
Norman Angell was born on 26 December 1872, in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England. He attended the University of Geneva and later studied at the University of Paris. Angell also travelled extensively, which contributed to his broad perspective on international relations.
Norman Angell had a diverse career that included journalism, writing, and advocacy for peace and international cooperation. He began his career as a journalist and worked for various newspapers in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Angell gained fame for his book titled “The Great Illusion,” published in 1909. In this work, he argued that war among major powers had become economically irrational in the modern world due to the interdependence of nations through trade and finance. He contended that the costs of war far exceeded any potential benefits.
His ideas challenged prevailing beliefs about the inevitability of conflict among nations and had a significant impact on the peace movement of the time. Angell was involved in various international organizations and served as a member of the League of Nations secretariat. Norman Angell passed away on October 7, 1967, in Croydon, Surrey, England.
Award and Legacy
In 1933, Norman Angell was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting the idea that economic interdependence and cooperation among nations could contribute to the prevention of war. Norman Angell’s work, particularly “The Great Illusion,” had a significant impact on international relations theory and peace advocacy.
His argument that war had become economically counterproductive and that nations should pursue peaceful means of resolving conflicts resonated with many during a period of heightened international tensions. Although his predictions regarding the prevention of major wars were not entirely accurate, his writings contributed to the development of modern international relations theory and the understanding of the complex interplay of economics, politics, and conflict.
Angell’s emphasis on the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in a globalized world continues to be relevant in contemporary discussions on international relations and conflict resolution.
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