Hobson 18581940, an english economist, wrote one the most famous critiques of the economic bases of imperialism in 1902. Far larger and more important is the pressure of capital for external fields of investment. Apr 30, 2019 hobson s imperialism was a very influential book and the fact that his analysis is marred by comments about jewish financiers does not mean that it is not a useful book. He writes boldly and clearly, and his pithy insights into the world economy stand as a model of economic writing.
Whilst hobson s theory of imperialism is widely known, the evolution of his ideas and writings in numerous journals in the years prior to the first publication of imperialism in 1902 is still relatively unknown. Read imperialism a study with an excerpt from imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism by v. Whilst hobsons theory of imperialism is widely known, the evolution of his ideas and writings in numerous journals in the years prior to the first publication of imperialism in 1902 is still relatively unknown. An inquiry into the industrial condition of the poor sixth. John atkinson hobson 1858 1940 was an english social scientist and economist most famous for his work on imperialism. A study by john atkinson hobson, publication date 1902 publisher j. The early chapters chart hobsons progress from complacent imperialist in the 1880s to. Hobson, taproot of imperialism 2 textile and metal industries, and, when the vast asiatic and african populations of the interior were reached, a rapid expansion of trade was expected to result. Hobson demonstrates his prophetic talents by noting, just as the victorian age was ending and world war i was brewing, that imperialism has been adopted as a more or less conscious policy by several european states and threatens to break down the political isolation of the united states. Hobson 185840 of greater importance than the theories of edgeworth, bastiat, and george is the theme of the fourth economic heretic of the age imperialism. John atkinson, 18581940 a wikipedia article about this author is available hobson, j. In hobson s work, which is very strongly influenced by marxist theory, he argued that what lay behind imperialism as a project was the chilling logic of the capitalist system where the rich.
Jeremy corbyn faces fury after praising brilliant book. Hobson seeks to explain the rise of the new imperialism in the 1870s and 1880s when britain, together with the other great european powers, engaged in a scramble for colonies. For others, the absence of intent negates the political relationship. John atkinson hobson, the economic writer and radical journalist most associated along with l. If you found this useful, check out the following videos.
Hobson is best known for his writing on imperialism, which influenced vladimir lenin, and his theory of underconsumption his principal and earliest contribution to economics was the theory of underconsumption, a scathing criticism of says law and classical economics emphasis on thrift. Hobson states that what he called the taproot of imperialism is not in nationalist pride, but in capitalist oligarchy. A study 1902 the online library of liberty this ebook pdf format is published by liberty fund, inc. Hobson is best known for his writing on imperialism, which influenced vladimir lenin, and his theory of underconsumption. Imperialism, published in 1902, is considered his most important work. Cambridge core history of ideas and intellectual history imperialism by john atkinson hobson. Hobsons influential work was drawn on by lenin when he wrote his book imperialism. For some, this is a virulent form of modern imperialism. Schmidt, state university of new york press, pages 8384. John atkinson hobson 6 july 1858 1 april 1940 was an english economist and social scientist.
Hobson and imperialism a new talking empire podcast. Although hobson himself was not a marxist he was a classical liberal, his theory. The online library of liberty is a project of liberty fund, inc. His principal and earliest contribution to economics was the theory of underconsumption, a scathing criticism of says law. Hobson seeks to explain the rise of the new imperialism in the 1870s and 1880s when britain. Hobson 1902 free printable imperialism dbq documentbased question worksheet scroll down to print pdf for europe to rule asia by force for purposes of gain, and to justify that rule by the pretence that she is civilizing asia and raising her to a higher level of spiritual life, will be adjudged by history, perhaps. This study of modern imperialism is designed to give more precision to a term which is on everybodys lips and which is used to denote the most powerful movement in the current politics of the western world. Imperialism by john atkinson hobson cambridge university press. John atkinson hobson 6 july 1858 1 april 1940, commonly known as john a.
Who benefits most from imperialsm according to hobson in. Hobson stated that finance could manipulate events in order to gain a profit, that may or may not benefit the nation. This video for students and enthusiasts explains the thinking of j. The online library of liberty a project of liberty fund, inc. Analyze hobsons theory of imperialism and its usefulness. Chapter 6 three theories explaining imperialism mperialism is a term used to describe a situation in which one on country controls another. The book was written in 1902 in the wake of the boer war, a bloody, threeyearlong conflict instigated by mining companies bent on british annexation of south africas goldrich. The existence of this surplus is due to the fact that the masses are kept in a condition of underconsumption through a policy of low wages for the workers and high rents for the financiers.
Theories of imperialism the major explanations for imperialism can be grouped into three general categories. In this talking empire podcast, centre director richard toye discusses hobsons imperialism with dr. Also hobson being a non marxist avoids to be favorable to one class and does not realize that capitalism and imperialism are strongly interconnected. The existence of this surplus is due to the fact that. His 1902 book imperialism, a study is an extensive explanation of how imperialism works, as well as a critique of its outcomes. Oct 01, 2006 in his preface to the 1902 first edition of imperialism. Powerful financiers seek investment opportunities with a high rate of return for their excess savings, driving them to invest in the uncivilized lands of africa. Hobson, is a politicoeconomic discourse about the negative financial, economic, and moral aspects of imperialism as a nationalistic business enterprise.
If we are indeed entering a new period of imperialism, hobson is a sound guide to what may come. Hobson on the nature of imperialism and its economic causes. The victorian era was a time when great britain, france, germany, belgium, portugal, holland, italy, and russia grabbed up colonies and economic concessions in africa and asia. Hobhouse with edwardian new liberalism was born in derby on 6 july 1858, the second son of william and josephine ne atkinson hobson. This is a selection from the last chapter of that book. May 20, 2010 according to hobson s theory, imperialism arises from the generation of underconsumption and oversaving in the capitalistic economy of the home country. The cause of imperialism, according to lenin and hobson is capitalism. Peter cain marks the occasion by evaluating, for the first time, hobsons writings on imperialism from his days as a journalist in london to his death in 1940. Hobson 18581940, one of englands most famous critics of imperialism.
Amid the welter of vague political abstractions to lay ones finger accurately upon any ism so as to pin it down and mark it out by definition seems impossible. In his preface to the 1902 first edition of imperialism. For hobson it is not the search for new markets but the profitable employment of surplus financial resources that is at the basis of the drive to imperialism. Amid the welter of vague political abstractions to lay ones finger ac curately upon any ism so as to pin it down and mark it out by definition seems impossible. Hobson 18581940 wrote extensively about the political economy of britain and its empire. The country being subjugated is generally a nonindustrial and nonwhite country such as cuba, india, or indonesia. Apr 20, 2016 although hobson himself was not a marxist he was a classical liberal, his theory would play a key role in shaping subsequent marxist theories of imperialism, most notably that of v.
A clue to hobsons thinking can be found in the title of his 1938 autobiography, confessions of an economic heretic. John hobsons imperialism is one of those social science classics that never really ages because the fundamentals of power, class and wealth never really change. In hobsons work, which is very strongly influenced by marxist theory, he argued that what lay behind imperialism as a project was the chilling logic of the capitalist system where the rich. In preparation for our upcoming free course on the controversies of empire ive been thinking hard about the legacy of j. Analyze hobsons theory of imperialism and its usefulness in. Hobsons imperialism was a very influential book and the fact that his analysis is marred by comments about jewish financiers does not mean that it is not a useful book. Lenin was later able to use much of hobsons analysis without making the mistake of singling out jewish financiers and without being antisemitic. This classic study of imperialism by the radicalliberal economist j a hobson was originally published in 1902.
In his seminal study, imperialism, a study first published in 1902, he pointed to the role of such drives as patriotism, philanthropy, and the spirit of adventure in advancing the imperialist cause. Lenins main points in identifying imperialism are the concentration of wealth, the creation of finance capital and the export thereof and the partition of the world by the world powers. Imperialism, a study introductory introductory nationalism and imperialism. Hobsons theory would fast number among the most influential critiques of imperialism. Comparison of lenins and hobsons theory on imperialism.
Lenin by john atkinson hobson available from rakuten kobo. A study1902 was undoubtedly one of the most influential books of the early twentieth century. Hobson was an important figure in the transformation of liberal internationalism, as he was with liberalism in domestic society. These extracts from hobson s text present his views on the causes of imperialism. Preface introductory nationalism and imperialism part i the economics of imperialism i. Hobson 18581940 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. Hobson set forth the argument that imperialism was the result of capitalism and that only specialinterest groups benefited from colonial possessions. Imperialism is a natural outcome of an unsound theory in our foreign policy.
This ebook pdf format is published by liberty fund, inc. Hobson british commander who led forces to defeat the afrikaners in the south african war, connecting britains eastern provinces with its southern colonies. According to hobsons theory, imperialism arises from the generation of underconsumption and oversaving in the capitalistic economy of the home country. William hobson was the proprietor of the derbyshire advertiser, to which his son later contributed, and was. During his coverage of the second boer war, hobson began to form the idea that imperialism was the direct result of the expanding forces of modern capitalism.
May 20, 2012 john atkinson hobson, the economic writer and radical journalist most associated along with l. The stronger nation is usually industrial and western meaning european, u. John hobson 1902 from imperialism, a study documenting. The labour leader faces a fresh antisemitism row after describing 1902s brilliant imperialism.
Though imperialism has been adopted as a more or less conscious policy by several european states and threatens. A study, the most influential critique of british imperial expansion ever written. Aug 07, 2017 this video for students and enthusiasts explains the thinking of j. John hobson s imperialism is one of those social science classics that never really ages because the fundamentals of power, class and wealth never really change. Hobson also extended his underconsumption thesis to his theory of imperialism. Exlabour mp ian austin said this is absolutely appalling. Hobson, was an english economist and critic of imperialism, widely popular as a lecturer and writer. Lenin was later able to use much of hobson s analysis without making the mistake of singling out jewish financiers and without being antisemitic.
This move towards formal control over colonies was a break from the previous british pattern, where it exercised its global dominance through free trade and informal. Hobson s influential work was drawn on by lenin when he wrote his book imperialism. Despite bernard porters discussion of this development in critics of empire, and p. Hobson 18581940, one of englands most famous critics of imperialism a clue to hobsons thinking can be found in the title of his 1938 autobiography, confessions of an. Imperialism is not motived by the interests of the nation as a whole, but by those of certain classes, who impose the policy upon the nation for their own advantage. Marked up by einde ocallaghan for the marxists internet archive.
Apr 30, 2019 the labour leader faces a fresh antisemitism row after describing 1902s brilliant imperialism. Hobson had worked as a journalist in south africa for the manchester guardian on the eve of the boer war, and upon his return published several a series of articles and books on imperialism and militarism. Hobson 18581940, one of englands most famous critics of imperialism a clue to hobson s thinking can be found in the title of his 1938 autobiography, confessions of an. Imperialism 1902 from social reformer and economist john atkinson hobsons book imperialism the decades of imperialism have been prolific in wars. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. These extracts from hobsons text present his views on the causes of imperialism.
William hobson was the proprietor of the derbyshire advertiser, to which his son later contributed, and was twice mayor of derby during the 1880s. Capitalism and imperialism in south africa by hobson, j. As he saw it, however, the critical question was why the energy of these active agents takes. Other articles where imperialism, a study is discussed. The book was among the first to connect the rise of finance capital with the growth of imperial expansion after 1870. Jan 12, 2015 in preparation for our upcoming free course on the controversies of empire ive been thinking hard about the legacy of j. Imperialism, a study 1902 marxists internet archive. Hobson and imperialism peter cain oxford university press. No mere array of facts and figures adduced to illustrate the. The prevalent opinion of hobsons imperialism theory as second image reductionism and economic determinism is also refuted.
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