Towards an enduring peace : A symposium of peace proposals and programs 1914-1916

This volume gathers a remarkable collection of essays and speeches drafted between 1914 and 1916, when the world was still reeling from the outbreak of the Great War. Leading economists, journalists, and public intellectuals contributed chapters that examine how trade, imperial ambition, and diplomatic failures helped ignite the conflict. Their analyses aim to uncover the structural forces that turned a regional crisis into a global catastrophe.

The collection then turns to concrete proposals for a lasting settlement. Contributors outline ideas for an international league, economic boycotts, and mechanisms to protect smaller nations, while debating the balance between national sovereignty and collective security. The papers reflect a lively debate among figures from America, Britain, Germany, and beyond, each hoping to shape a new order that could prevent future wars.

Reading these early‑twentieth‑century reflections offers a vivid snapshot of the peace movement at a pivotal moment. Listeners will hear the optimism, urgent warnings, and strategies that shaped serious attempts to build a durable peace, providing a window into the intellectual climate that preceded later institutions such as the League of Nations.