the Great Illusion

The Great Illusion is a concept from the interwar period suggesting that economic and military strength could ultimately prevent war, implying that nations with strong economies and armed forces wouldn't need to fight. It believed that peaceful cooperation and mutual prosperity would make conflict unnecessary, fostering stability through economic ties and diplomacy. However, this idea underestimated the role of national pride, politics, and miscalculation, which can lead even the strongest nations into war. The Great Illusion challenged the notion that military power alone guarantees security, emphasizing instead the importance of economic interdependence and diplomatic relations.