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Alex Danchev

Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences

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Biography

Alex Danchev was educated at University College, Oxford, Trinity Hall, Cambridge and King's College London. He served for a period as an officer in the Royal Army Educational Corps, lecturing at the Royal Military Sandhurst and elsewhere. He has held Fellowships at the Wilson Center in Washington DC, St Antony's College, Oxford, and Queen Mary, London. He came to Nottingham as Professor of International Relations in 2004.

He is currently Director of Admissions in the School of Politics and International Relations.

Teaching Summary

Alex Danchev is an unorthodox Professor of International Relations. As in his research, he feels it is important to be able to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. International Relations is an… read more

Research Summary

A biography of the painter Paul Cezanne (Pantheon, New York, and Profile, London), perhaps the most important and influential figure in modern art, a figure of comparable importance to Marx and… read more

Recent Publications

  • ALEX DANCHEV, 2011. 100 ARTISTS' MANIFESTOS Penguin Modern Classics.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. Infidels and Miscreants: Love and War in Afghanistan International Affairs. 87(2),
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. On Art and War and Terror paperback. Edinburgh University Press.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. War Photography, the Face, and Small Acts of Senseless Kindness Journal of Cultural Research.

PhD supervision

I am interested in supervising students who wish to work on the following areas:

  • Art and politics/international relations variously defined
  • Biographical treatments of political, military or historical figures
  • Anglo-American relations
  • Official inquiries such as the Hutton, Butler and Chilcot inquries into various aspects of the Iraq War
  • Recent wars

Current PhD students:

  • Oana Pop: Brand America - exceptionalism and rhetoric
  • Nataliya Danilova: Memory and commemoration of war in Britain in Russia
  • Lee Stokes: Ethnic minorities and foreign policy making in Britain
  • Jakub Kulhanik: Russia's cooperation with NATO
  • Chris Burgess: British political posters

Recently completed PhD students:

  • Luke Middup: The Powell Doctrine and US military

Alex Danchev is an unorthodox Professor of International Relations. As in his research, he feels it is important to be able to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. International Relations is an interdisciplinary subject in itself, embracing history, politics, law, economics, philosophy, geopraphy and sociology. Alex Danchev is especially interested in bringing art and culture into play - integrating works of the imagination, broadly conceived, into the study of politics and international relations. His contribution to the second-year module on Power and International Order, for example, includes a study of Joseph Conrad's novel, HEART OF DARKNESS, as well as ON WAR by Clausewitz, and THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO, by Marx and Engels. His MA module on Art and War includes a study of painting and photography, as well as a visit to the Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays - to explore the building (by Daniel Libeskind) as well as its contents.

His third-year module on Political Biography, co-taught with Ion Trewin, a Special Professor in the School, featured prominently in the TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION magazine. It includes a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London, to study portraits of prime ministers, and also an element of creative writing - the 'forward obituary' of somone not quite dead. It was primarily for this module that he received a Dearing Award for Teaching and Learning in 2009.

In seminars and tutorials, he places most emphasis on student participation in small-group work, where the quality and depth of the discussion is paramount - student-centred learning rather than teacher-led lecturing. Remaining silent is not an option in these seminars; but it is equally important to have something relevant and cogent to say. They demand preparation and reflection. If it works well, the outcome is a more satisfying experience.

He teaches a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules:

Undergraduate modules

Understanding Global Politics

Power and International Order

Anglo-American Relations

Political Biography

Postgraduate modules

Art and War

Current Research

  • A biography of the painter Paul Cezanne (Pantheon, New York, and Profile, London), perhaps the most important and influential figure in modern art, a figure of comparable importance to Marx and Freud - one of the makers of the modern world. The first full biography for several decades, and the first ever to embrace not only the life (1839-1906) but also the afterlife: the century of posthumous productivity after his death.
  • Continuing research on the politics of official inquiries - Chilcot on the Iraq War, Gibson on torture.
  • Continuing research on the intersections of art and politics variously defined, for example the books and films of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Past Research

Alex Danchev has done a good deal of work on strategy and diplomacy in the Second World War, and in more recent international conflicts in the Falklands, the Gulf, the Balkans and the so-called war on terror; on the Anglo-American 'special relationship' and transatlantic relations more broadly; on the international inquest on the Iraq War of 2003 - the inquiries of Lord Hutton and Lord Butler, and somewhat similar proceedings in the US, Australia and Israel; and on the rise and fall of Tony Blair.

In the realm of art and politics - a continuing interest - he has recently published a collection of essays, ON ART AND WAR AND TERROR (Edinburgh University Press, 2009; paperback 2011), and a selection of artists' manifestos, analyzing their social and political significance as well as their artistic programme, 100 ARTISTS' MANIFESTOS (Penguin Modern Classics, 2011).

  • ALEX DANCHEV, 2011. 100 ARTISTS' MANIFESTOS Penguin Modern Classics.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. Infidels and Miscreants: Love and War in Afghanistan International Affairs. 87(2),
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. On Art and War and Terror paperback. Edinburgh University Press.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2011. War Photography, the Face, and Small Acts of Senseless Kindness Journal of Cultural Research.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2010. Flag Code International Political Sociology. 4(1), 89-92
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2010. 'Anglo-Saxon Susceptibilities: The Special Relationship and the World Intelligence and National Security. 25(6),
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2010. The Artist and the Terrorist, or The Paintable and the Unpaintable: Gerhard Richter and the Baader-Meinhof Group Alternatives. 35(2), 93-112
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2009. On Art and War and Terror Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
  • ALEX DANCHEV AND DEBBIE LISLE, 2009. Art, Politics, Purpose Review of International Studies. 35(4), 775-80
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2008. Picasso Furioso Paris: Dilecta.
  • DANCHEV, ALEX, 2008. 'Bad Apples, Dead Souls: Understanding Abu Ghraib' International Affairs. 84(6),
  • DANCHEV, A., 2007. Tony Blair's Vietnam: the Iraq War and the 'special relationship' in historical perspective Review of International Studies. 33(2), 189-203
  • DANCHEV, A, 2007. The Hospitality of War International Affairs. 83,
  • DANCHEV, A, 2007. Human Rights and Human Intelligence. In: STEVE TSANG, ed., Intelligence and Human Rights in the Era of Global Terrorism Praeger. 93-108
  • DANCHEV, A, 2007. Georges Braque: A Life Penguin.
  • DANCHEV, A, 2007. 'I'm with you.' Tony Blair and the Obligations of Alliance. In: LLOYD GARDNER & MARILYN YOUNG, ed., Iraq and the Lessons of Vietnam New York: New Press. 45-58
  • DANCHEV, A., 2006. 'Like a dog!': humiliation and shame in the war on terror Alternatives. 31(3), 259-284
  • DANCHEV, A, 2006. Accomplicity: Britain, Torture and Terror British Journal of Politics and International Relations. 8, 587-601
  • DANCHEV, A, 2006. England Your England International Relations. 20, 390-95
  • DANCHEV, A, 2006. The Cold War 'Special Relationship' Revisited Diplomacy and Statecraft. 17, 579-95
  • DANCHEV, A, 2006. The Strategy of Still Life, Or, The Politics of Georges Braque Alternatives. 31, 1-26
  • DANCHEV, A, 2006. Provenance Journal for Cultural Research. 10, 23-33
  • DANCHEV, A., 2005. Georges Braque: a life London: Hamish Hamilton.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2005. '''Existe-t-il?''' The Anglo-American Special Relationship during the Cold War'. In: Closeness and Asymmetry: The Anglo-American and Mexican-American 'Special Relationships'
  • DANCHEV, A, 2005. Will the Weevil Delay?: Creative Writing and the Cold War Intelligence and National Security. 20, 525-32
  • DANCHEV, A, 2005. Shared Values in the Transatlantic Relationship British Journal of Politics and International Relations. 7, 429-36
  • DANCHEV, A, 2005. War Stories Journal of Military History. 69, 211-15
  • DANCHEV, A., 2004. The reckoning: official inquiries and the Iraq War Intelligence and National Security. 19(3), 436-466
  • DANCHEV, A., 2004. 'Story Development, Or, Walter Mitty the Undefeated'. In: The Iraq War and Democratic Politics Routledge, London and New York.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2004. 'Get closer: war photography'
  • DANCHEV, A., ed., 2004. The Iraq War and Democratic Politics Routledge, London and New York.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2004. 'Oliver Franks, 'Roger Makins' and other entries in. In: The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2003. 'Barbarians'. In: 11 September 2001: War, Terror & Judgement Cass (Frank) & Co. Ltd, Liford, Essex, UK. 195-197
  • DANCHEV, A., 2003. 'What will the Spider do? Fiction and the Cold War' Times Literary Supplement.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2003. Greeks and Romans: Anglo-American Relations After 9/11 RUSI JOURNAL. VOL 148(PART 2), 16-19
  • DANCHEV, A., 2002. 'Introduction: The Unhappy Warrior'. In: War Diaires: Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke xi-xxx
  • DANCHEV, A., 2002. 'The Alanbrooke Diairies' 27, 57-74
  • DANCHEV, A., ed., 2002. War Diaries: Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke 1939-1945 Phoenix Press, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2001. The real Waugh Diplomatic History. 25(3), 473-489
  • DANCHEV, A., 2001. 'Basil Liddell Hart'. In: Telling Lives MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London. 170-182
  • DANCHEV, A., 2001. 'Lidddell Hart'. In: The Oxford Companion to Military History Oxbow Books, Oxford, UK. 505-506
  • DANCHEV, A., 2001. 'Waiting for NATO: Strategic Concepts and Force Structure'. In: A History of NATO III. Palgrave Macmillan Ltd, Basingstoke, UK. 175-181
  • DANCHEV, A., 2000. Alchemist of War: The Life of Basil Liddell Hart Cassell, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 2000. 'Liddell Hart and the British Way in Warfare' 3, 86-95
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. Liddell Hart and the Indirect Approach Journal of Military History. VOL 63(NUMBER 2), 313-338
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. 'Gardening'. In: Kosovo: The Politics of Delusion 59-61 & 95
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. 'Special Pleading'. In: The United States and the European Alliance Since 1945 Berg Publishers, Oxford and Washington, DC. 271-288
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. Liddell Hart's Big Idea Review of International Studies. VOL 25(NUMBER 1), 29-48
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. Heroes Diplomatic History. VOL 23(NUMBER 1), 111-114
  • DANCHEV, A., 1999. "Cross-Dressing": Liddell Hart, Fashion, and War ALTERNATIVES -AMSTERDAM THEN NEW YORK THEN GUILDFORD-. VOL 24(NUMBER 2), 249-268
  • DANCHEV, A., 1998. Liddell Hart and Manoeuvre RUSI JOURNAL. VOL 143(NUMBER 6), 33-35
  • DANCHEV, A., 1998. 'On Friendship: Anglo-American Relations at the Fin de Siecle'. In: No End to Alliance: The United States and Western Europe MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London. 204-218
  • DANCHEV, A., 1998. On Specialness: Essays in Anglo-American Relations MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1997. To Hell, or, Basil Hart Goes to War Journal of Strategic Studies. VOL 20(NUMBER 4), 66-93
  • DANCHEV, A., 1997. On friendship: Anglo-America at fin de siecle International Affairs. VOL 73(NUMBER 4), 747-760
  • DANCHEV, A., ed., 1996. International Perspectives on the Yugoslav Conflict MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1996. 'Waltzing with Winston: The SEcond World War'. In: Government and the Armed Forces in Britain 1856-1990 Hambledon Press, London, UK. 191-216
  • DANCHEV, A., 1996. On specialness International Affairs. VOL 72(NUMBER 4), 737-750
  • DANCHEV, A., 1995. 'Great Britain: The Indirect Strategy'. In: Allies at War 1-12 & 36-
  • DANCHEV, A., 1995. 'Waltzing with Winston: Civil-Military Relations in Britain in the Second World War War in History. 2, 202-230
  • DANCHEV, A., 1995. 'Introduction: The Sarajevo Century'. In: Fin de Siecle: The Meaning of the Twentieth Century IB.Tauris, London. x-xv
  • DANCHEV, A., ed., 1995. Fin De Siecle: The Meaning of the Twentieth Century IB.Tauris, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1994. 'Harold Macmillan v. Oliver Franks: The Oxford Chancellorship Election of 1960' XLVI, 87-92
  • DANCHEV, A., 1994. The Anschluss Review of International Studies. VOL 20(NUMBER 1), 97
  • DANCHEV, A., 1994. 'Introduction: The Rules of Propriety'. In: International Perspectives on the Gulf Conflict MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London. xi-xvii
  • DANCHEV, A., 1994. 'Biffing: The Saga of the Second Front'. In: D-Day 1944 24-41
  • DANCHEV, A., ed., 1994. International Perspectives on the Gulf Conflict MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1994. 'The Army & The Home Front, 1939-1945'. In: The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Army Oxford University Press, Oxford. 307-328
  • DANCHEV, A., 1993. Oliver Franks: Founding Father Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1993. 'Colonel Blimp' 105, 15-17
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. Introduction. In: The Franks Report Pimlico, London. v-xxiv
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. 'Introduction: A Matter of Life and Death'. In: International Perspectives on the Falklands Conflict MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London. 1-11
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. 'Being Friends: The Combined Chiefs of Staff and the Making of Allied Strategy in the Second World War'. In: War, Strategy and International Politics Oxford University Press, Oxford. 195-210
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. 'The Grand Alliance Revisited' 71-74
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. International Perspectives on the Falklands Conflict MacMillan Publishers Ltd, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. 'In the Back Room: Anglo-American Defence Cooperation'. In: British Intelligence, Strategy and the Cold War Routledge, London and New York. 215-235
  • DANCHEV, A., 1992. The Franks Report: The Falkland Islands Review Pimlico, London.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1991. 'Taking the Pledge: Oliver Franks and the Negotiation of the North Atlantic Treaty' 15, 199-219
  • DANCHEV, A., 1991. 'Life and Death in the South Atlantic' Review of International Studies. 17, 305-312
  • DANCHEV, A., 1991. Field Marshal Sir John Dill. In: Churchill's Generals 51-69
  • DANCHEV, A., 1991. 'The Strange Case of Field Marshal Sir John Dill' 35, 353-357
  • DANCHEV, A., 1990. 'Tiger Shooting Together: The Grand Alliance in Embryo' 18, 112-117
  • DANCHEV, A., 1990. Establishing the Anglo-American Alliance: The Second World War Diaires of Brigadier Vivian Dykes Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1990. 'Haig Revisited' 135, 71-74
  • DANCHEV, A., 1990. 'Introduction'. In: Establishing the Anglo-American Alliance 1-16
  • DANCHEV, A., 1989. 'Field Marshal Sir John Dill: The Early Years' LXVII, 28-39
  • DANCHEV, A., 1986. Very Special Relationship: Field Marshal Sir John Dill and the Anglo-American Alliance Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK.
  • DANCHEV, A., 1986. The Central Direction of War, 1940-41. In: Sword and Mace 57-78
  • DANCHEV, A., 1985. 'A Special Relationship: Field Marshal Sir Jon Dill and General George C. Marshall' 130, 55-61

School of Politics and International Relations

University of Nottingham
University Park, Nottingham
NG7 2RD

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