ABSTRACT
Theories of imperialism emanating from outside the Marxist tradition have generally presented themselves as exceptions. This might well have surprised Karl Marx, who preceded the great global controversy on imperialism and never used the term himself. Yet this did not stop the majority of theorists of imperialism from claiming to be furthering his ideas. To trace the historical career of the term, therefore, it is as well to start with Marx. Marx saw capitalism as condemned to succumb to its own internal contradictions. Yet it is important to recognize that, rather than simply denouncing capitalism, he admired its achievements, which he viewed as necessary for the transition to socialism. Though the profit motive was bound to produce class war, the same process would also stretch capitalism to the limits of its material and technological potential. Historical development was, therefore, as much qualitative as quantitative.
