<p>‘Sam Goodman’s book gives an excellent overview of the main foreign policy challenges faced by nine British Prime Ministers over the last 50 years and how they dealt with them. It draws richly on first-hand accounts, is very well-written and will be a valuable source of reference for politicians and students alike.’<br />Hilary Benn MP, former Shadow Foreign Secretary<br /><br />‘Sam Goodman’s account is detailed, forensic and subtle. This is not a straightforward story and the interplay between Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary has been shaped by personality as well as by a political dynamic. Goodman understands, and he tells a fascinating story with authority and compelling clarity. For anyone looking for a concise, accurate and interesting account of the big events and challenges in British foreign policy over the last half century, this book is an invaluable source of fact and insight.’<br />Stephen Wall, former British Permanent Representative to the European Union <br /><br />‘A must-read for anyone seeking to develop a comprehensive understanding of the growing dominance of British Prime ministers in foreign policy decision making, especially when it comes to questions of war and peace. Goodman’s important work greatly benefits from his unique access to primary sources and documents. <br /><i>The Imperial Premiership</i> is based on numerous personal interviews as well as meticulous archival analysis. Goodman not only takes an institutional approach, taking a closer look at Prime Ministers’ interactions with the Foreign Office, Cabinet, or Members of Parliament, but also places great emphasis on how their personal views, convictions, and styles shape foreign policy outcomes.' <br />Dorle Hellmuth, Associate Professor of Politics, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC</p>

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Recent votes in the House of Commons on British military intervention have put foreign policy at the heart of public consciousness. This book examines fifty years and nine premierships - from Harold Wilson to David Cameron - to offer a unique account of the growing role of the prime minister in foreign policy making.The prime minister now spends more time on foreign policy than at any previous period outside war, but excepting crises the public and MPs themselves remain relatively ill-informed on the subject. Written by a senior parliamentary researcher and based on first-hand interviews with former foreign secretaries, Cabinet ministers, senior civil servants, party officials, military chiefs and diplomats, this book provides an insider account of votes on military intervention in Syria, and raises questions around the vetting of those who seek the office of prime minister and the educating of the electorate.
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A study of the growing role of the British Prime Minister in foreign policy and military intervention over the past fifty years.
Foreword by the Rt Hon. Lord OwenIntroductionPrologue1. Harold Wilson, 1964-702. Ted Heath, 1970-743. Harold Wilson, 1974-764. James Callaghan, 1976-795. Margaret Thatcher, 1979-906. John Major, 1990-977. Tony Blair, 1997-20078. Gordon Brown, 2007-109. David Cameron, 2010-15ConclusionEpilogueBibliographyIndex
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Between 2011 and 2015 the House of Commons voted four times on the question of military intervention. Britain's activities abroad have been brought to the forefront of the public consciousness.The imperial premiership provides a comprehensive overview of British foreign policy over the last fifty years and nine premierships, from Harold Wilson to David Cameron. Based on the author's first-hand interviews with former foreign secretaries, Cabinet ministers, senior civil servants, party officials, military chiefs and diplomats, it offers a unique account of the growing role of the Prime Minister in foreign-policy making and the personal impact each premier has had on British foreign policy as a whole. It also provides an insider account of both votes on the question of military intervention in Syria.The book argues that the Prime Minister now spends more time on foreign policy than at any other period outside of war, yet with the exception of high-profile crises the public and MPs themselves remain ill-informed on the subject. If we are to avoid the foreign-policy mistakes of the past and make full use of our country's authority on the world stage then we need a societal change in how we vet those who seek the office and in how we educate the electorate.The imperial premiership includes a foreword by former Foreign Secretary Lord Owen. It will appeal to readers with an interest in British politics and history, and international relations.
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‘Sam Goodman’s book gives an excellent overview of the main foreign policy challenges faced by nine British Prime Ministers over the last 50 years and how they dealt with them. It draws richly on first-hand accounts, is very well-written and will be a valuable source of reference for politicians and students alike.’Hilary Benn MP, former Shadow Foreign Secretary‘Sam Goodman’s account is detailed, forensic and subtle. This is not a straightforward story and the interplay between Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary has been shaped by personality as well as by a political dynamic. Goodman understands, and he tells a fascinating story with authority and compelling clarity. For anyone looking for a concise, accurate and interesting account of the big events and challenges in British foreign policy over the last half century, this book is an invaluable source of fact and insight.’Stephen Wall, former British Permanent Representative to the European Union ‘A must-read for anyone seeking to develop a comprehensive understanding of the growing dominance of British Prime ministers in foreign policy decision making, especially when it comes to questions of war and peace. Goodman’s important work greatly benefits from his unique access to primary sources and documents. The Imperial Premiership is based on numerous personal interviews as well as meticulous archival analysis. Goodman not only takes an institutional approach, taking a closer look at Prime Ministers’ interactions with the Foreign Office, Cabinet, or Members of Parliament, but also places great emphasis on how their personal views, convictions, and styles shape foreign policy outcomes.' Dorle Hellmuth, Associate Professor of Politics, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781784994372
Publisert
2016-09-26
Utgiver
Vendor
Manchester University Press
Vekt
757 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Dybde
25 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet

Forfatter

Biographical note

Sam Goodman is a Political Advisor to the Labour Party