Thus the reason for our involvement in Iraq (and given the civilian casualty counts quite obviously!) is not for altruistic reasons. It is about securing a slice of the pie.
When has any nation done anything for alturistic reasons? Nations only act when it is then national interets to do so - that's what diplomacy has always been about and always will be. Globalization has, however, meant that our national interests are not as clear cut as they once may have been - the world's economies are interdependant.
The Prime Minister highlighted this during a speach in Apr 99 :
By this I mean the explicit recognition that today more than ever before we are mutually dependent, that national interest is to a significant extent governed by international collaboration and that we need a clear and coherent debate as to the direction this doctrine takes us in each field of international endeavour.
...
But now we have to establish a new framework. No longer is our existence as states under threat. Now our actions are guided by a more subtle blend of mutual self interest and moral purpose in defending the values we cherish. In the end values and interests merge.
Therefore, our own
Defence Vision is a tautology.
Defending the United Kingdom and its interests.
Strengthening international peace and stability.
International peace and stability are in our national interest as the world economy - and therefore ours - is affected by instability.