"...He seems to have believed that it was preferable for great powers to channel their rivalry into conflicts confined to the 'stage' of smaller countries, almost on a 'symbolic' or 'sporting' level, and that this 'healthy competition' was far better than an open, dangerous and direct confrontation, which could get out of hand and lead to an existential war. .." I always wondered about the function of fox hunting amongst the gentry...
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