International law, liberal interventionism and centre-left British foreign policies after Iraq

Professor Jason Ralph, University of Leeds

This paper introduces the early findings of a British Academy mid-career fellowship project.  Its starting point is Tony Blair's assumption that regime change by military force was an 'obvious'  policy for the Labour Party to adopt.  It describes how, during the lead up to war in Iraq, Blair tried to square what he saw as 'doing the right thing' (i.e. supporting the American invasion) with his concept of 'international community'and his party's longstanding commitment to the United Nations. Ultimately, Blair's strategy was reduced to attacks on the procedures that constitute what it means to act on behalf of the international community.  This served only to strengthen the accusation that his brand of centre-left foreign policy was imperialistic. The coalition government's response to the Arab spring, in particular its intervention in the Libyan conflict, was very much influenced by a desire not to repeat Blair's mistakes.  Yet despite this, centre-left opinion remains divided on the legitimacy of the Libyan operation and liberal interventionism more generally. The paper critically engages that opinion in an attempt to help liberal governments navigate the most reasonable course. 

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