| | GENERAL REMARKS:
DAVID ORMROD -- Ph.D. -- Professor at University of Kent
Regarding Stuart-era English wars, Professor David Ormrod observes:
I don't think its very startling to say that political elites behave in ways that foster their own interests, including promoting wars, rather than serving the common good.
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MARK CHARLES FISSEL -- Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley -- Professor at Augusta State University
Jonathan (if I may): Fascinating website (which I'll doubtless be
visiting again) and a theory of warfare that strikes me as disturbingly
accurate, though with a caveat.
Looking at the Tudor-Stuart period as a whole, monarchs were culpable
for spilling blood for damned foolish reasons such as "glory" and
promotion (or survival) of their dynasty. Henry VIII may well be the
most notorious (and pathetic) case. Charles I plunges his realms into
civil war primarily to bolster his royal authority. He wishes to be
obeyed, and not all his subjects will fall into line (in both fiscal
and religious matters).
However, out of those wars comes an institutional and collective form
of the decision-making process to wage war, originating in the
parliamentary committee system. Representative assemblies are more
efficient (and I would argue, rational) in making the decision to go to
war. It is true of the early modern period as well as our own US
foreign policy. Representative assemblies are also better credit risks
and thus better equipped to finance war.
The causes of war, however, in my view are just as often genuinely
ideological (and I include religion in that formula) as they are
cynical and selfish. This is particularly true of the 16th & 17th
centuries. From the 18th century on, when economics seems to drive war
rather than religion (a consequence of the Peace of Westphalia?), then
those cynical and selfish motives are perhaps more prominent.
Just some thoughts. Your views? If you like, we can break down the
British Civil Wars in some detail.
Mark
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LOIS SCHWOERER -- Ph.D. -- Professor at George Washington University
Dr. Jonathan M. Kolkey:
Herewith are my answers to your specific questions : (1) Yes, I think all historians would agree that one may detect the presence of self-interest in the decisions that lead to war....
I think that the points you offer about wars in the early and mid- seventeenth century are probably correct; they are one of many considerations that led to war. I don't think any one would disagree with you. In other words, your point is not an extraordinary one.
Lois
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