Imperial Sceptics
British Critics of Empire, 1850–1920

In this book, Gregory Claeys proposes a new chronology for the emergence of opposition to the British Empire from 1850 to 1920.

Gregory Claeys (Author)

9781107407091, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 August 2012

356 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.48 kg

Review of the hardback: 'An essential addition to the scanty existing literature on the 'other side' of the Imperial debate in Britain. It is good to see the subject moving on at last.' The Times Literary Supplement

Imperial Sceptics provides a highly original analysis of the emergence of opposition to the British Empire from 1850–1920. Departing from existing accounts, which have focused upon the Boer War and the writings of John Hobson, Gregory Claeys proposes a new chronology for the contours of resistance to imperial expansion. Claeys locates the impetus for such opposition in the late 1850s with the British followers of Auguste Comte. Tracing critical strands of anti-imperial thought through to the First World War, Claeys then scrutinises the full spectrum of socialist writings from the early 1880s onwards, revealing a fundamental division over whether a new conception of 'socialist imperialism' could appeal to the electorate and satisfy economic demands. Based upon extensive archival research, and utilising rare printed sources, Imperial Sceptics will prove a major contribution to our understanding of nineteenth-century political thought, shedding new light on theories of nationalism, patriotism, the state and religion.

Introduction: audi alteram partem: imperialism and the moral imagination
1. Positivist diplomacy
2. Socialism and empire: from Little England to Socialist Commonwealth 1850–1920
3. Contextualising Hobson: civilisation, utility and socialist imperialism
Conclusion: the fruits of imperial scepticism.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], History of ideas [JFCX], General & world history [HBG], History [HB]