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Analysis of The Great Illusion, by Norman Angell Essay

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Advances in technology and the expansion of trade have, without a doubt, improved the standard of living dramatically for peoples around the world. Globalization brings respect for law and human rights and the democratization of politics, education, and finance to developing societies, but is usually slow in doing so. It is no easy transition or permanent solution to conflict, as some overly zealous proponents would argue. In The Great Illusion, Norman Angell sees globalization as a force which results from and feeds back into the progressive change of human behavior from using physical force toward using rational, peaceful methods in order to achieve economic security and prosperity. He believes that nations will no longer wage war …show more content…

His rosy view of globalization at the beginning of the twentieth century is also naïve in that it downplays the role and the potential strength of nationalism, especially during times of crisis, and refers to military spending and arms buildup as “economically futile” rather than as dangerous but necessary, as they in fact were.

While colonialism did not always pay, in many cases it did allow a military power to promote development of and trade with a colony in ways that would benefit the mother country. Angell correctly emphasizes the importance of trade to economic prosperity, but incorrectly asserts that colonizing nations cannot influence trade patterns or reap a profit from the trade that a colony carries on. Furthermore, Angell focuses his criticism of military spending on demonstrating the pointlessness of using military force to physically invade and steal gold reserves or take over factories, or to kill off foreign “competitors” who are vital as producers and consumers in the global economy. No nation intended to use their military force for this purpose. In reality, European nations used military force to protect economic holdings, such as safe trade routes and favorable tariffs and taxes. While he is correct to some degree in saying that military power will not force consumers to buy products of inferior quality, political power does secure the right to create

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