Analysis of The Great Illusion, by Norman Angell

It is no doubt that the progress of technology and the expansion of trade have improved the living standards of people around the world. Globalization has brought about respect for law and human rights, and democratization of politics, education and finance to the developing society, but it is usually slow. As some enthusiastic supporters have said, conflict is not an easy transition or permanent solution. In "fantasy", Norman Angel attributed globalization to the force resulting from progressive change in human behavior, from the use of physical strength to the use of reasonable and peaceful methods to achieve economic security and prosperity I will. .

Sir Norman Angel was most widely remembered in his 1909 booklet "European Optical Illusion" that was published as a book of "fantasy" the following year (and many years later). (The anti-revolutionary film La Grande Illusion received that title from his booklet.) The discussion of this book suggests that the economic integration of European countries has developed to such a degree that the war between them is completely wasted is. Militarism is outdated. "Dog's life is too short, their only mistake really is" - Agnes Sligh

But if you are a modern and wealthy country, war - even simple and winning war - will not pay for it. This is the first time in a while. In 1910's prominent "wonderful fantasy", a British journalist, Norman Angel, claimed that "military power is wasting socially and economically." In telegraph (already in steamboat, railway, railway era) war will inevitably seriously damage the winner economically. Furthermore, it is difficult to extract golden eggs from a complex economy without killing goose in that process.

When talking about his view on the irrational masses, Angel explained that the reason why the war and the masses chose to participate in the war is actually irrational. With his appropriate name book, "Big Fantasy", he presented persuasive arguments based on reasonable and economic considerations. Angels believe that the benefits of war in modern environments will diminish as winners can no longer expect to benefit from loot. This change is mainly due to the fact that goods and rags can not be carried as before (eg gold, silver, slaves, jewelry). Since goods and services are non-physical such as money, stocks, fixed assets, etc., they are not transferable assets. Therefore, assuming that the state does not expect to benefit from war, if the state acts purely for itself, the state is unlikely to fight war.

After the First World War, free international relations theory was born out of the war that states can not dominate and restrict international relations. Early advocates include Woodrow Wilson and Norman Angel and they believe they gained a common interest from cooperation. Neo-liberalism is trying to renew liberalism by accepting new realism, assuming that the state plays an important role in international relations, but non-state actors (NSAs) and intergovernmental organizations (IGO) are still important I believe. Supporters will focus on absolute returns as they believe countries will cooperate regardless of their relative interests. This also means that any international institution can choose the way to practice policies in principle freely without hindering sovereign sovereignty.