Peace Theories and the Balkan War

Peace Theories and the Balkan War by Norman Angell explores the relationship between the theories of peace and the outbreak of the Balkan War (1912-1913) analyzing the contradictions between idealistic visions of peace and the reality of international conflicts. Angell examines how the events in the Balkans though not directly related to World War I highlighted the fragility of peace in Europe and the complexities of maintaining stability in a volatile region.In this work Angell critiques the prevailing peace theories of the time particularly those that underestimated the importance of diplomacy economic interdependence and collective security. He argues that the Balkan War with its nationalistic tensions and power struggles demonstrated the need for a more comprehensive approach to peace that extended beyond mere treaties and military alliances.This book offers valuable insights into early 20th-century thought on international relations and conflict providing a critique of the optimistic peace ideals that were ultimately challenged by the escalation into World War I. Peace Theories and the Balkan War remains a significant work for anyone interested in the intellectual debates surrounding war diplomacy and the challenges of maintaining global peace.