Chamberlain's diplomacy as postwar idealism

Was Neville Chamberlain following realism or idealism in foreign policy?

He belonged to a post-First World War idealist tradition that hoped continued negotiation could prevent another war.

Chamberlain appears here as someone pursuing an ideal rather than merely approaching diplomacy as a businessman making deals. The First World War produced slogans about a land fit for heroes and a war to end wars, together with a powerful desire to avoid repetition. Continued discussion therefore appeared to offer a mechanism for preventing another conflict. That hope was understandable in theory, but it depended on every participant negotiating honestly.