The aspirations of democracy and the requirements of diplomacy have always coexisted uneasily. The politicians discussed in this book, in particular the appreciation of the careers of John Bright and James Bryce, reflect obliquely or directly on the problems of politicians who seek the 'high moral ground' either in domestic or international politics. There is also a discussion of the relationship between politicians and the press, as well as of the difficult link between cultural and political assumptions on the one hand and the facts of economic performance on the other.

Keith Robbins was formerly Vice-Chancellor of University of Wales, Lampeter. On his retirement from this post in 2003 he was made an Honorary Professorial Fellow in the Departments of History and Theology/Religious Studies.