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Liberal Imperialism - contradiction in terms?

Niall Ferguson's critique of the British Empire's role in shaping the modern world asks tough questions of Liberals.
Submitted by Tabman on 29 December 2006 - 1:47pm | Categories:
On 29 December 2006 - 4:23pm, Peter Welch wrote:

It is worth reading Hobson on this subject.

Some recent works suggests that colonialism was good for subject countries. But the artificial borders that stretch across Africa tell a different tale.

Peter


On 29 December 2006 - 4:32pm, Tabman wrote:

Peter - the link doesn't work.

Funnily enough, I had that thought about African borders.
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"Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.


On 29 December 2006 - 5:54pm, Peter Welch wrote:

It does now.

A further problem with colonialism is the argument of Marx (a people which enslaves another people forges its own chains).

There was an interesting article by Sedley in the LRB the other week (part of it here) which showed how hard it was to convict people who had quite clearly committed terrible crimes - in the interests of the Empire.

Peter

http://pigeon-post.blogspot.com/


On 29 December 2006 - 10:34pm, Tabman wrote:

I probably didn't make myself clear.

If we believe Liberal Democracy is a Good Thing, how do we extend its benefits?

Enslavement is not an option. However, supra-national federation? Is it possible to conceive of a voluntary "empire" which does not have to rely on the driving force of ethnic or religious superiority?
________________________________________________
"Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.