The Economics and Ethics of British Imperialism: Cambridge University Press (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name and Student Number
Article Review Assignment and Date
Unit Title
The Economics and Ethics of British Imperialism: Cambridge University Press. The Historical Journal, 55, 1 (2012).
Introduction
In the article, the economics and ethics of British Imperialism, the author’s main purpose for writing is to explain how the British imperialism affected and changed the economic growth in the world and their moral standing on their subjects and who among them benefited from the civilizing mission of the British. The author refers to the works of Darwin, Magee, and Thompson, and to a small extent Claey’s.
The imperial policy established the imperial state which had good foundations of the economy and would bring about foreign investments making Britain have a global influence. Britain’s economic dynamism was the main power of the empire. Security by the naval enhanced trade, immigration and markets were established. Britain was safe during the Second World War due to the great military power. An argument on the book’s title that Britain’s acquired territories were not an empire but a project of an empire. Some scholars argued that the empire cost more than it brought whereas others said that the empire could not simply exist. The energy and the power that the United States had could not be fathomed by Britain except briefly after 1945. Britain remained stronger even during the great depression in 1914. The facts laid by Darwin are from primary sources making his work unique. However, his lack of giving history on some discussions such as Canada with Confederation may not be definitive work.
Networks of economic connections were established by the British colonial power. Cultural bonds shared helped in shaping other economies. The invasion in other counties led to Britain having better ideas on transforming their country with having possible economic, social, and political improvement. Many problems were overcome as networks were created by family and friends and foreigners who highly promoted trade. Population increase made the trade better. As argued by Magee and Thompson, biases in giving information to the British communities led to the subsidized capitals. The communities followed the moral disciplines of the British when conducting business. Debts were the huge part that needed to be repaid by various nations and investors were confident in their returns. The notion that Great Britain would rival the United States in terms of wealth and power due to large population was a reason for favoring Dominion investments. Being a part of the cultural community was another reason.
As a trial to reach the consensus on the ethical foundations of the global order of peace and of justice for the universally accepted institutions, it was argued that the geopolitical and fear of the British Empire would lead to it being overthrown. This was backed up by liberal internationalism. Free trade encouragement was thought to encourage moralizing force and creation of a better understanding among the nations which could encourage peace. The morals and the basis of understanding of internationalism were barely defined before 1914. International law was argued as an ethical project that was defined by civilization. Democracy was defined as the liberal internationalism which was supposed to come slowly when people showed moral responsibility when using power. Civilization was thought as good and necessary and the belief in nationalism was thought as progress as the established virtues flourished. The broader feeling was expressed by the Liberal internationalism as Britain’s domestic image.
Various scholars who have responded to British Imperialism in a novel concerned with the English ideas of liberty have their essays argued by the author as lacking comparative dimension. The outcomes of the rich variety of the localities are not captured. Persuasion by the United States leads to Britain getting out of the empire. The liberty was said to be the Briton’s essence of national identity not only a condition that was enforced by the law. Meaning of liberty change over time and could be a source of power to certain people. Those who supported the liberals were thought to be morally inferior and w...