RICHARD MIDDLETON -- Ph.D.  – Professor at Queen's University, Belfast

Dear Dr Kolkey,
 
I agree that factional self interest in the Eighteenth Century is often the key, as Sir Lewis Namier demonstrated, to most political decisions, including those of war. But self interest, as you say, takes many forms; namely financial gain, family honor, and personal aggrandisement. Perhaps the most conspicuous example among the latter was William Pitt, Senior, who along with the other "Cobham Cubs" drove Walpole into war with Spain simply to secure office. He demonstrated similar political opportunism in calling for the vigorous conduct of the conflict with France in 1755-6, after failing to secure a Secretaryship of State following the death of Henry Pelham. But in adopting these positions he gave hostage to policies which he later shamelessly had to abandon, i.e. his opposition to British troops in Europe. The same desire for office also underpinned much of what the Rockingham Whigs stood for.
 
However I would not want to go so far as to say that factional interest affected everything, as Namier implies. Politicians do take stances which they think are in the national interest, though these often dovetail with their own personal interests and place in society. I am also hesitant about using history simply to prove a point about contemporary affairs, though comparisons can be fruitful. If one wants to make a point about the present, I prefer to stick to contemporary materials. But good luck anyway with your thesis.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Richard Middleton

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARLY CONFIRMATIONS WILL BE POSTED AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED