You are serving as Ambassador to Britain on behalf of an African state. The harvest has failed, and many people are starving. Your government has not enjoyed particularly good relations with Britain, and is currently fighting a civil war against a separatist movement. You are desperate for humanitarian aid, and have arranged an interview with the UK's Secretary of State for International Development in the hope of enlisting her help. Unfortunately, the UK government is currently facing economic difficulties, and the Secretary of State is keen to cut costs; she is also known to be personally ambitious, and to take a 'realist' view of International Relations.

What kind of speech might you make at the beginning of the meeting?

Helpful hint: It would be useful to read the section on 'realism', pages 349-54.