Religion and Diplomacy (Hardback) | Released: 01 Dec 2009

New Directions in Diplomatic History, 1 (History of International Relations Library, ) For long a missing dimension in British foreign policy, religion impinged upon the formulation of Britain's overseas interests in many ways. This was true of policy makers' unspoken assumptions about the nature of humanity and international politics, inculcated in elite educational institutions. Religion was a tangible element in the practice of diplomacy. War, crises, and humanitarian concerns drew comment from the churches, their followers, as well as direct involvement from the Bishops in the House of Lords. This volume presents two survey chapters on the British Churches and British Foreign Policy and the nonconformist churches and British foreign policy. It is followed by case studies focusing on the Near East, Japan, relations with the Vatican, the Jewish question in British foreign policy, and the role of Archbishop Lang in the tempestuous years prior to the Second World War. Table of Contents Notes on Contributors List of Abbreviations Introduction Keith Robbins and John Fisher 1. The British Churches and British Foreign Policy: An Overview Keith Robbins 2. Nonconformity and British Foreign Policy Michael Hughes 3. Britain and the Ottoman Empire 1830-1880 John Charmley 4. Religion and British policy towards the Ottoman Empire, 1875-1923 Erik Goldstein 5. A "vexed question" Britain, the Powers, and the 'Jewish Question' in the Nineteenth Century T. G. Otte 6. Odo Russell's mission to Rome, 1858-70, and British Foreign Policy Towards the Vatican Saho Matsumoto-Best 7. British Diplomats and Religion in Japan, 1858-1941 Hamish Ion 8. The judgement of an archbishop: Cosmo Gordon Lang and British Foreign Policy, 1928-1939 Andrew Chandler 9. The Church of England and British Policy towards the Assyrians, 1914-1955 John Fisher Index About the Author(s)/Editor(s) Keith Robbins, D.Litt., is Vice-Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Wales, Lampeter, having formerly been Professor of History at Bangor University and Professor of Modern History at Glasgow University. A former President of the Historical Association and editor of History, he has written prolifically on political, diplomatic, ecclesiastical, military and cultural topics. John N. Fisher, PhD. (1996) in History, University of Leeds, is Senior Lecturer in International History at the University of the West of England, Bristol. He has published widely on aspects of British foreign policy with special reference to the Middle East, 1870 to 1930.