THE ONLINE LIBRARY OF LIBERTY

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JOHN A. HOBSON, IMPERIALISM: A STUDY (1902)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hobson was an historian and economic
journalist who was one of the so-called "New
Liberals" who emerged at the end of the 19th
century. The New Liberals advocated much
greater state intervention in the economy than
the classical liberals had done. One of the
things that makes Hobson especially
interesting is his support for Cobdenite ideas
of peace and free trade. Although his lack of
understanding of markets and marginal
analysis led to his being ostracized by his
contemporary academic economics circles, his
thoughtful critique of the justifications of
imperialism and his work taking the topic back
to first principles stands today as an example
of respect for all peoples throughout the
world. He was a member of the Fabian
Society, and although he wrote for several
socialist journals, he was an independent
thinker who argued that capitalist goals had
been perverted by special interests and
misdirected governments.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A classic analysis of imperialism by a British
economic journalist who explores the way in
which mercantile interests in the home country
can manipulate the power of the state in order
to get benefits in the colony.
THE EDITION USED
Imperialism: A Study (New York, James Pott &
Co., 1902).
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The text of this edition is in the public domain.
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