Imperialism (Cambridge Library Collection - British and Irish History, 19th Century) - Softcover

Hobson, John Atkinson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108025145 ISBN 13: 9781108025140

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

J. A. Hobson (1858–1940) was an English economist and early socialist, whose writings on capitalism and industrialism influenced Lenin and Trotsky, and were highly regarded by John Maynard Keynes. Imperialism, published in 1902, is considered his most important work. Employed as a war correspondent by the Manchester Guardian to report on the Second Boer War, he became convinced that imperial expansion was driven by the desire to find new markets and investment opportunities, resulting in capitalistic exploitation of the colonies. He argued that imperial policies were a fundamental cause of international conflict, as greed led to aggression and militarism. While modern critics have seen weaknesses in his arguments, such as his failure to examine the development of the British Empire out of early private trading enterprises, Hobson was a very influential and prolific writer and social theorist, who helped shape British welfare policy in the twentieth century.

About this title

Review:

If we are indeed entering a new period of imperialism, Hobson is a sound guide to what may come. He writes boldly and clearly, and his pithy insights into the world economy stand as a model of economic writing.... Reading Hobson, I am struck by the many parallels between 2002 and 1902. One hundred years ago, he saw that globalization--then known as imperialism--meant that it was impossible for one country to leave another country alone. World capitalism made isolation, even if desirable, an impossibility.... As Americans embark on a new imperial project--of rescuing failed states and winning the 'clash of civilizations' so that terrorists have no haven--we should be alert to the possibility that we will record our own 'complete' delusions. --G. Pascal Zachary, author of The Global Me, In These Times, September 2, 2002

Book Description:

J. A. Hobson (1858–1940) was an English economist and early social theorist. In Imperialism, published in 1902, he argues that imperial expansion was caused by the need to find new markets for the output of the Industrial Revolution, resulting in capitalistic exploitation of the colonies, and leading to international conflict.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1108025145
• ISBN 13: 9781108025140
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 420