ABSTRACT

J. A. Hobson’s Imperialism: A Study, first written in 1902, was undoubtedly his most prolific work. Yet Hobson wrote frequently about the topic of imperialism over the course of his career, and a number of his articles are included in this collection, first published in 1992. Exploring areas such as the presence of capitalism in South Africa following his visits to the country in the lead-up to the Boer War, free trade, and the ethical implications of empire, these articles and extracts reflect how Hobson’s ideas changed over the decades in which they were written. This is a fascinating collection of material that provides an unparalleled depth of insight into the views of one of the most important economic thinkers of the early twentieth century.

chapter 1|12 pages

Can England Keep Her Trade?

chapter 2|14 pages

Free Trade and Foreign Policy

chapter 3|18 pages

Capitalism and Imperialism in South Africa

chapter 4|11 pages

The Inner Meaning of Protectionism

chapter 5|14 pages

The Ethics of Internationalism

chapter 6|11 pages

South Africa as an Imperial Asset

chapter 8|46 pages

An Economic Interpretation of Investments

chapter 9|26 pages

The Open Door

chapter 10|25 pages

Why the War came as a Surprise

chapter 11|26 pages

Democracy after the War

chapter 12|11 pages

Economic Internationalism