In the National Interest? : British Foreign Policy, Past, Present and Future

This book analyses the forces that have sculpted Britain’s engagement with the world—from the Middle Ages to the age of AI. Moving beyond the cloistered calm of traditional diplomatic history, Black argues that foreign policy is not an abstract, rational science conducted in whispers by elites, but a vibrant, often messy political construct.

In a climate of global instability and domestic uncertainty, the question of what constitutes Britain’s ‘national interest’ has never been more urgent. Acclaimed historian Jeremy Black’s In the National Interest? British Foreign Policy, Past, Present and Future provides a sweeping analytical narrative of the forces that have sculpted Britain’s engagement with the world—from the Middle Ages to the age of AI. Moving beyond the cloistered calm of traditional diplomatic history, Black argues that foreign policy is not an abstract, rational science conducted in whispers by elites, but a vibrant, often messy political construct. It is a field shaped by clashing ideologies, economic pressures, public opinion and the unpredictable impact of human agency. Spanning nearly four centuries, this volume examines the critical turning points of British history: the imperial struggles of the eighteenth century, the trauma of two world wars and the contemporary dilemmas posed by a transformed international order. Black explores how concepts like the balance of power and strategic geography have evolved, highlighting the ways in which today’s crises regarding Russian aggression and the shifting global landscape echo—and depart from—the lessons of the past. Written with characteristic depth and wit, this book challenges the traditional ‘Foreign Office view’ and recognizes that foreign policy is inextricably linked to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the nation. For general readers, scholars, and policymakers alike, Black offers a timely and essential reminder: an accurate knowledge of our past relations is a necessity for acting with spirit and common sense in the future.