Synopses & Reviews
This book tackles the role of Parliament in the conduct of eighteenth-century foreign policy, the impact of this policy on parliamentary politics, and the quality of parliamentary debates. Drawing on a wide range of British and foreign archival sources, it is an important study for assessing eighteenth-century Britain and for understanding the role of contingency in the evaluation of political systems. Reflecting over a quarter-century of work on parliamentary sources, it highlights as well the influence of Parliament on foreign policy and politics.
About the Author
JEREMY BLACK MBE is Professor of History, University of Exeter.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The revolution settlement, Parliament and foreign policy, 1689 1714; 3. The Walpolean system, Parliament and foreign policy, 1714 42; 4. The mid-century crisis, Parliament and foreign policy, 1742 60; 5. George III, Parliament and foreign policy, 1760 1800; 6. Sources and reports; 7. Character and quality of parliamentary discussion; 8. A parliamentary foreign policy?; 9. Conclusions; Select bibliography.