The Economics of Imperialism

In this course we will examine several aspects of the economics of imperialism. It begins with a review of the several varieties of empire along with reading some of the "classics" on the subject by John Hobson, Charles Conant, Rudolf Hilferding, and others. Next will be a historical examination of the British Empire to review its economic causes and effects. Was it, as we are now increasingly told, a force for economic progress? Or was it a dressed-up form of plunder? The course concludes with a consideration of the notion of "The Imperialism of Free Trade" and the contemporary foreign economic policy of the United States. This course may count towards the economics major requirements as a 0200 level elective.