Reinterpreting the Dutch Forty Years War, 1672–1713

This book aims to reinterpret current perceptions of the Dutch Forty Years War (1672-1713), usually regarded as a struggle against the expansionism of Louis XIV, birthing the European balance of power. Particular attention is given to recent international relations theory, through the examination of popular and official documents, as well as political and diplomatic correspondence. While focusing on the emergence and appropriation of Universal Monarchy and Balance of Power discourses, this book also provides counter discourses, allowing readers to explore the lively domestic debate on foreign policy along partisan lines.

• Diplomacy
• Balance of Power
• Monarchy
• Identity
• Glorious Revolution
• Louis XIV
• John de Witt
• William III
• Spanish Succession

“Onnekink has produced a theoretically ambitious and interpretatively innovative piece of scholarship.  Drawing heavily on innovations in international relations theory, Onnekink has produced an account of Dutch foreign policy in the crucial decades of the late seventeenth century that moves beyond realist and structuralist narratives.  In Onnekink's hands Dutch foreign policy is reconfigured as an exciting interplay among political parties, ideologies, and interpretations of a rapidly changing environment.  Dutch opposition to France no longer appears inevitable, but always the result ofchoicest deeply informed by sophisticated and contrasting worldview.  This book will be required reading not only for Dutch historians, but for all those interested in the European transition to the modern era.” (Steve Pincus, Yale University, USA) 

“Onnekink offers us an intelligent and thought-provoking book on the emergence of international relations theory in the early modern age, redefining politics as a discursive practice. Focussing on the Forty Years War he embarks on an original study of the cultural and linguistic dimension of diplomacy, demonstrating that foreign policy is also constituitive with identity.” (Yolanda Rodríguez Pérez, Universiteit van Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

“This is a work of striking originality.  By examining the language of politicians and publicists as they debated policy at times of crisis, David Onnekink bridges the divides conventionally separating the study of ‘high politics’, ideology and public opinion.  Stimulating and revisionist, his book will be welcomed by students of European international relations.” (Hugh Dunthorne, Swansea University, UK)

• Deptartment of History, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

  David Onnekink

David Onnekink is Assistant Professor of the Department of History at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

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