War, Peace, and Reform

Richard Cobden (1804 – 1865) was a Radical and Liberal statesman. Cobden advocated the principles of peace, non-intervention, retrenchment, free trade and reduction of armament. Cobden's international ideas were based on patriotism and peace, the harmony of classes, reform by constitutional methods, goodwill among men and nations. Cobden.believed in individual liberty and enterprise, in free markets, freedom of opinion and freedom of trade. He addressed himself to what seemed to him the logical complement of free trade, namely, the promotion of peace and the reduction of naval and military armaments. Cobden left a deep mark on British history. He advocated the repeal of the Corn Laws, which not only made food cheaper, but helped develop industry and benefit labour. He brought forward a proposal in parliament in favour of international arbitration, and identified himself with a series of peace congresses.