using a phrase as noun or article+noun

[musicgold]

Hi,

The following paragraph is from a book.. I don’t understand why there is no ‘the’ before ‘Whig foreign policy’?
If the author is treating the phrase as a noun, how does one decide? I mean if your are writing this sentence what would prompt you to use ‘Whig foreign policy’ instead of ‘The Whig foreign policy’?

The Tory party, which had been in favor, now lost its dominance, and was replaced by the Whig party of noble landlords and merchant companies enjoying monopoly privileges from the government. Whig foreign policy was mercantilist and imperialist, with colonies sought and grabbed for the greater glory of the Crown, trading advantages, investments in raw material, and markets for shipping and exports.

Thanks,

MG.

[Clark]

I think you need 'the' here. The referential status of 'policy' is definite.

[angelg]

If I was writting it I would use the possesive:
Whig's foreign policy was mercantilist and imperialist,.....

[Anglika]

Hi,

The following paragraph is from a book.. I don’t understand why there is no ‘the’ before ‘Whig foreign policy’?
If the author is treating the phrase as a noun, how does one decide? I mean if your are writing this sentence what would prompt you to use ‘Whig foreign policy’ instead of ‘The Whig foreign policy’?

The Tory party, which had been in favor, now lost its dominance, and was replaced by the Whig party of noble landlords and merchant companies enjoying monopoly privileges from the government. Whig foreign policy was mercantilist and imperialist, with colonies sought and grabbed for the greater glory of the Crown, trading advantages, investments in raw material, and markets for shipping and exports.

Thanks,

MG.

It is a general reference to a type of foreign policy - that applied by the Whig party. In this phrase "Whig" is adjectival.

[Clark]

It is a general reference to a type of foreign policy - that applied by the Whig party. In this phrase "Whig" is adjectival.

But doesn't 'policy' need a determiner?

[Anglika]

Not necessarily. Tory policy is a general reference; the/a Tory policy is a specific reference to a specific policy.

[Clark]

Not necessarily. Tory policy is a general reference; the/a Tory policy is a specific reference to a specific policy.

I think there is such a reference. The policy pursued by the Whig party in that period of history.

[bhaisahab]

I think there is such a reference. The policy pursued by the Whig party in that period of history.

No, if you replace Whig with any other party such as Socialist party or Communist party or even Nazi party these are all adjectives when used in this way, like, Angry people, or Rabid dogs, or Spiritual organizations, etc. etc.

[Clark]

No, if you replace Whig with any other party such as Socialist party or Communist party or even Nazi party these are all adjectives when used in this way, like, Angry people, or Rabid dogs, or Spiritual organizations, etc. etc.

OK. Let's replace Whig by Government. (The) goverment foreign policy was mercantilist and imperialist ... . Do we need an article?

[Anglika]

No.