Blackwell Reference Online

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An understanding of imperialism needs to be built upon a solid foundation of reading in theory and in broad works of historical interpretation. While it is true that the debates about imperialism, like most scholarly discussions of large themes, are inconclusive, a critical familiarity with the arguments at least makes it possible to choose intelligently the conceptual ground upon which one stands. A good place to begin is Williams (1976: 132–3). Koebner and Schmidt (1965) trace the story from the time when the word was first applied to the policies of Napoleon III of France to the middle of the twentieth century. Mommsen (1980) provides concise summaries of the most important interpretive approaches. Osterhammel (1996) wrestles productively with some of the complexities that arise from attempts at conceptualization. The essays in Osterhammel and Mommsen (1986) are quite helpful. Thornton (1965) repays reading for its wealth of interesting ideas.Many of the classic works also deserve to be consulted. Hobson (1902) remains important for its lucidly put, if factually suspect, argument that the causes of imperialism are traceable to the workings of special interests that are not necessarily essential to capitalism. V. I. Lenin's Imperialism: The Last Stage of Capitalism relies significantly upon Hobson to make the entirely different point, quickly adopted as the keystone of Marxist ... log in or subscribe to read full text