# Robert Blatchford — The Great Illusion character guide

> Robert Blatchford in The Great Illusion by Norman Angell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Blatchford

**First appearance:** 0003-the-great-illusion

## Snapshot

Socialist journalist who grants Angell's economics may be right but insists the theory will never stop a European war.

## Who they are

Blatchford is Angell's most bracing critic because he concedes the argument and denies its consequences. He argues that until war lords, diplomats, financiers, and workers actually believe the theory, its truth changes nothing. Angell takes this objection seriously enough to spend pages dismantling it, making Blatchford the sparring partner who sharpens the book's case for spreading the facts.

## Relationships

### [Norman Angell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/norman_angell)

_rivalry_

Angell and Blatchford held opposing views on war and imperialism, with Blatchford advocating militarism while Angell argued for economic interdependence.

### [Homer Lea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/homer_lea)

_friendship_

Both were proponents of military preparedness and saw threats from foreign powers, aligning in their alarmist views.

### [Admiral Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/admiral_fisher)

_friendship_

Both were strong advocates of British naval supremacy, with Fisher's naval reforms likely supported by Blatchford's patriotic writings.

## In the story

### [The Psychological Case for Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/ii-the-psychological-case-for-peace)

Cited as a representative of the militarist view that German policy is a cold, calculated opportunism based on Clausewitz's teachings.

### [Unchanging Human Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/iii-unchanging-human-nature)

Mentioned as a militarist socialist who criticizes the British people's apathy toward fighting, echoing similar complaints in other countries.

### [The State as a Person: A False Analogy and Its Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/vi-the-state-as-a-person-a-false-analogy-and-its-consequences)

Cited for his articles claiming Germany is deliberately preparing to destroy the British Empire and is homogeneous, which the author refutes as a dangerous untruth.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/endnotes)

Quoted from 'Germany and England' to present the German perspective on British proposals for arbitration and disarmament.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/robert_blatchford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters