British Imperialism: 1688-2000 - Softcover

Cain, P.J.; Hopkins, A. G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0582472865 ISBN 13: 9780582472860

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

A milestone in the understanding of British history and imperialism, and truly global in its reach, this magisterial account received numerous accolades from reviewers in its first edition. The first to coin the phrase "gentlemanly capitalism", Cain and Hopkins make the strong and provocative argument that it is impossible to understand the nature and evolution of British imperialism without taking account of the peculiarities of her economic development. In particular, the growth of the financial sector - and above all, the City of London - played a crucial role in shaping the course of British history and Britain's relations overseas. Now with a substantive new introduction and a conclusion, the scope of the original account has been widened to include an innovative discussion of globalization.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

 "A magisterial account of 300 years of British history." Will Hutton, The Guardian  "No praise can be too high... a landmark in its breadth of vision, and boldness of spirit." David Cannadine, Past and Present"Essential reading for anyone working in the City." Bill Jamieson, Sunday Telegraph  "A stunning mixture of narrative, analysis and brilliant historical deconstruction." Denis McShane, The New Statesman  A milestone in the understanding of British history and imperialism, this important book radically reinterprets the course of modern economic development and the causes of overseas expansion during the past three centuries. Employing their concept of ¿gentlemanly capitalism¿, the authors draw imperial and domestic British history together to show how the shape of the nation and its economy depended on international and imperial ties, and how these ties were undone to produce the post-colonial world of today.  British Imperialism has received numerous accolades from scholars and the wider reading public, and is winner of the American Historical Association¿s prestigious Forkosch Prize. This 2nd edition, issued for the first time in a single volume, has two substantial new chapters: a Foreword assesses the development of the debate since the book¿s original publication; an Afterword discusses the imperial era in the context of the current controversy over globalization, and shows how the study of the age of empires remains relevant to understanding the post-colonial world.  P.J. Cain is Research Professor of History, Sheffield Hallam University.  A.G. Hopkins is Smuts Professor of Commonwealth History, University of Cambridge.  _________________________________________________________________________________    Inside flap:  Tracking the innovation, expansion, crisis and deconstruction of Britain's empire, British Imperialism has generated widespread and continuing discussion of the processes of modernization and empire-building.Its emphasis on the growth of finance and commercial services provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the British economy and state, the forces behind imperialism and empire-building from the eighteenth century to the present day.  The circumstances of Britain's economic development were unique: not only as the first country to industrialise, but because the growth of the financial sector - and above all, the City of London - played a central role in shaping the course of British history and Britain's relations overseas. A particular British brand of organised entrepreneurialism helped to turn much of the world map pink, as ¿gentlemanly capitalism¿ transformed society and the economy in Britain and abroad.The publication of British Imperialism was a major event for historians of Britain, of empire and of imperialism generally. In this new edition the original account has been widened with an innovative discussion of globalisation which will further debates about empire and Britain¿s place in the world. Finance and commerce are shown to be the driving forces behind the British Empire, and a lasting impression is given of Britain's historical legacy in a post-imperial age.

About the Author:

P.J. Cain is Research Professor of History, Sheffield Hallam University. 

A.G. Hopkins is Smuts Professor of Commonwealth History, University of Cambridge.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0582472865
• ISBN 13: 9780582472860
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 784