عنوان

Attlee, Bevin and the role of the United Nations 1945-1949

Number

TLets426227

Title Proper

Attlee, Bevin and the role of the United Nations 1945-1949

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Rahman, Zulkanian Abdul.

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of East Anglia

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2006

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of East Anglia

Text preceding or following the note

2006

Text of Note

This study examines the dilemma of the 1945-1951 Labour Government in placingthe United Nations within British foreign policy, and the United Nations' role ininternational politics at the onset of the Cold War. In particular, it explores thecontrasting views over the issues raised by the creation of the United Nations from1945 to 1949 of Labour's two most prominent political figures - Attlee and Bevin.These issues include the international trusteeship scheme, the international control ofatomic energy, and the idea of a United Nations international force.Attlee's foremost consideration in advocating internationalist ideas in the first twoyears in office were Britain's economic constraints resulting from the Second WorldWar, and the new advancement in technological warfare, such as the invention ofatomic bomb and bomber aircraft. Attlee foresaw the presence of the United Nationsas the best way to manage the new world order, and eventuany, to end the balance ofpower politics in the post-war world.Bevin's traditionalist and imperialist political outlook was the antithesis to Attlee'sdesire for internationalism. He was in favour of balance of power politics with theUnited Nations second only to the British Empire in international politics. Hisultimate aim from the very beginning of his career as Britain's first post-war ForeignSecretary was to re-establish Britain's power and prestige in international politics.Bevin had no intention that Britain, as one of the world powers in the post-war world,should subordinate itself, nor surrender its sovereignty to the United Nations. In fact,the fate of the United Nations was in the hands of the United Kingdom, rather thanthe reverse. To Bevin, Britain despite its financial difficulties, needed to reassert itspower and prestige if it was to playa significant role in world politics and ensure thesurvival ofthe British Empire in the coming years.Internationalist ideas, such as those that Attlee strongly advocated, were not practicalpolitically. The United Nations suffered from the unwillingness and hesitation of theworld powers to make it the centre of world affairs. Instead, the world powers,committed to balance of power politics, were the key actors in international politics.

Rahman, Zulkanian Abdul.

University of East Anglia

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y