Research and Publications
Dr Best's main fields of research interests lie in the Origins of the Pacific War; the International History of East Asia; the History of Modern Japan, and Intelligence and International History. Recent publications include British Intelligence and the Japanese Challenge in Asia, 1914-1941 (Palgrave/Macmillan, 2002); 'Economic Appeasement or Economic Nationalism?: A Political Perspective on the British Empire, Japan and the Rise of Intra-Asian Trade, 1933-37' Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth Studies, 2002, vol.30, no.2, and 'Ohitsu-gaiko kara mita Nichi-Ei kankei 1919-1941' [The Royal Dimension in Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1919-1941] in Y. Ito & M. Kawata (eds), Nijuseki Nihon no tenno to kunshusei-kokusaihikaku no shiten kara 1867-1952 [The Emperor and Monarchy in Twentieth Century Japan from an International Perspective] (Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 2004). He is also a co-author of An International History of the Twentieth Century (Routledge, 2004) [co-written with J. Hanhimaki, J. Maiolo and K.E. Schulze].
In addition to the above he has written a number of scholarly articles including 'Intelligence, Diplomacy and the Japanese Threat to British Interests, 1914-41' Intelligence and National Security, 2002, vol.17, no.1, pp.87-102; 'Economic Appeasement or Economic Nationalism?: A Political Perspective on the British Empire, Japan and the Rise of Intra-Asian Trade, 1933-37' Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth Studies, 2002, vol.30, no.2. Forthcoming publications include 'Lord Hankey, R.A. Butler and Japan' in H. Cortazzi, (ed.), Britain and Japan: Biographical Portraits Vol.V, (Japan Library, Richmond, forthcoming, 2004) and 'Internationalism, Regionalism and Nationalism in East Asia in the Inter-war Period' in A. Hanzawa (ed.), The Role of the United Nations in International Politics (in Japanese).
Dr Best studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds before moving to London where he studied for his PhD at the London School of Economics. He joined the LSE as a Lecturer in 1989.
The main focus of his current research is a monograph, which will deal with the role of race and monarchy in the shaping of the course of Anglo-Japanese relations in the period from 1900 to 1945. The book will study the way in which Japan was perceived by various groups in Britain such as the royal court, the political parties, the media, industrialists, the financial community, the labour movement and the church, and investigate to what degree domestic politics and perceptions influenced policy towards Japan. It will also look at the way in which the Japanese media viewed the Anglo-Japanese relationship.
Recent participation in conferences have included 'Internationalism, Regionalism and Nationalism in East Asia in the Inter-war Period' at the 'Role of the United Nations in International Politics' conference held at Hokkaido University, December 2003. (international conference); 'A Contradiction in Terms?' Human Intelligence and Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1914-1941' to the Military History Seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London in October 2003. (national lecture); '"Our Respective Empires Should Stand Together": The Royal Dimension in Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1919-1941' at the annual British International History Group conference in September 2003. (national conference); 'Japan and the Chamberlains', presented at the 'Chamberlains of Birmingham' conference held at the University of Birmingham, June 2003 (international conference).
To listen to Dr Best presenting a paper on Japan and the Cold War: An Overview (from 2009), follow this link|.
Click here for more on publications by Dr Antony Best|
Teaching and Supervision
Dr Best's teaching at the LSE reflects the research interests outlined above. He usually teaches the following courses:
At undergraduate level:
HY113: From Empire to Independence: The Extra-European World in the Twentieth Century| (taught jointly with other members of staff in the Department)
HY235: Modernity and the State in East Asia: China, Japan and Korea since 1840| (jointly taught with Professor Arne Westad)
HY313: The International History of East Asia, 1914-1945|
At Masters level:
HY461: East Asia in the Age of Imperialism, 1839-1945|
Dr Best also supervises the following PhD students:
|
RESEARCH STUDENT
|
PROVISIONAL THESIS TITLE
|
|
Danya Barnes
|
The Development of Policy for the US Occupation of Japan, 1937-1945
|
Contact Details
Office: Room EAS.E405
Telephone: 020 7955 7923
Email Address: A.Best@lse.ac.uk|
Office Hours
Monday 11:30-12:30 and
Thursday 15:00-16:00