Stability of high. beta. large aspect ratio tokamaks

High {beta}({beta}{much gt} {epsilon}/q{sup 2}) large aspect ratio ({epsilon} {much gt} 1) tokamak equilibria are shown to be always stable to ideal M.H.D. modes that are localized about a flux surface. Both the ballooning and interchange modes are shown to be stable. This work uses the analytic high {beta} large aspect ratio tokamak equilibria developed by Cowley et.al., which are valid for arbitrary pressure and safety factor profiles. The stability results make no assumption about these profiles or the shape of the boundary. 14 refs., 4 figs