British imperialism in Cyprus, 1878–1915: The inconsequential possession (Studies in Imperialism, 75) - Softcover

Varnava, Andrekos

Softcover

ISBN 10: 071908640X ISBN 13: 9780719086403

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2012

Synopsis

This book explores the tensions underlying British imperialism in Cyprus. Much has been written about the British empire’s construction outside Europe, yet there is little on the same themes in Britain’s tiny empire in ‘Europe’.

This study follows Cyprus’ progress from a perceived imperial asset to an expendable backwater by explaining how the Union Jack came to fly over the island and why after thirty-five years the British wanted it lowered. Cyprus’ importance was always more imagined than real and was enmeshed within widely held cultural signifiers and myths. This book fills a gap in the existing literature on the early British period in Cyprus and challenges the received and monolithic view that British imperial policy was based primarily or exclusively on strategic-military considerations.

The combination of archival research, cultural analysis and visual narrative that makes for an enjoyable read for academics and students of imperial, British and European history.

About this title

About the Author

Andrekos Varnava is Associate Professor in Modern History at Flinders University

From the Back Cover

This book explores the tensions underlying British imperialism in Cyprus. Much has been written about the British empire’s construction outside Europe, yet there is little on the same themes in Britain’s tiny empire in ‘Europe’. This study explores whether the assumptions and findings made about imperial rule outside Europe hold true in a ‘European space’.

Varnava follows Cyprus’s progress from a perceived imperial asset to an expendable backwater by explaining how the Union Jack came to fly over the island and why after thirty-five years the British wanted it lowered. Cyprus’s importance was always more imagined than real and was enmeshed within widely held cultural signifiers and myths. Cyprus was an ‘inconsequential possession’. Examining the inconsequential possession reveals much about reasons of state, construction of policy and the contingencies of imperial governance. Governments do not always make decisions through evidence-based reasoning; decisions are often wrong; reasons for bad decisions are often changed to justify them differently; there is a great reluctance to admit a mistake let alone to reverse it; and cultural signifiers and perceptions play a great part in decision-making. The book fills a gap in the existing literature on the early British period in Cyprus and challenges the received and monolithic view that British imperial policy was based primarily or exclusively on strategic military considerations.

The combination of archival research, cultural analysis and visual narrative is a great bonus that makes for an enjoyable read for academics and students of imperialism, British and European history.

From the Inside Flap

This book explores the tensions underlying British imperialism in Cyprus. Much has been written about the British empire s construction outside Europe, yet there is little on the same themes in Britain s tiny empire in Europe . This study explores whether the assumptions and findings made about imperial rule outside Europe hold true in a European space . Varnava follows Cyprus s progress from a perceived imperial asset to an expendable backwater by explaining how the Union Jack came to fly over the island and why after thirty-five years the British wanted it lowered. Cyprus s importance was always more imagined than real and was enmeshed within widely held cultural signifiers and myths. Cyprus was an inconsequential possession . Examining the inconsequential possession reveals much about reasons of state, construction of policy and the contingencies of imperial governance. Governments do not always make decisions through evidence-based reasoning; decisions are often wrong; reasons for bad decisions are often changed to justify them differently; there is a great reluctance to admit a mistake let alone to reverse it; and cultural signifiers and perceptions play a great part in decision-making. The book fills a gap in the existing literature on the early British period in Cyprus and challenges the received and monolithic view that British imperial policy was based primarily or exclusively on strategic military considerations. The combination of archival research, cultural analysis and visual narrative is a great bonus that makes for an enjoyable read for academics and students of imperialism, British and European history.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071908640X
• ISBN 13: 9780719086403
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336