An Essay On Palmerston's India Policies

The dissertation discusses Palmerston's India policy mainly from his political and philosophical points of view.Henry John Temple Palmerston, a well—known statesman and diplomat, was active in the British political arena and international stage for a long period of time (1830—1865) while in charge of British foreign affairs. He was interested in foreign affairs and was an unwavering defender of British interests. Being faithful to the principle of conservative-liberalism, he considered this kind of political philosophy to be the most useful in safeguarding Britain's interests. We could find its guiding role everywhere in his establishing of the Indian policies.Conservative-liberalism was the blending of both conservatism and liberalism, and it. has the characteristics of both conservatism and liberalism simultaneously.The conservative aspect of Pamerston's conservative-liberalism was manifested in many ways. He paid homage to order politically and applied himself to safeguard the existent systems and the formed international balance and opposed any alter of the status quo hastily. These characteristics were embodied in his India policies, namely, maintaining British vested interests and the relevant existent international order of the economy, politics and military affairs. For the purpose of the security of British India and the trade route to there, Britain conflicted with France, Russia, Afghanistan and Persia in Near and Middle East and Central Asia from 1830 to 1865 when Palmerston was one of the main leaders of the country.The liberal aspect of Pamerston's conservative-liberalism was manifested in many ways, too. He advocated free trade and opposed monopoly. When the conditions were provided, he sought for new alternatives so as to make the country slowly adapt...