Introduction

THIS pamphlet differs from previous ones in two ways. First, it examines a rather broader theme than previous works in this series. Secondly, it provides a link between previous pamphlets on various aspects of the development of the traditional leading industrial nations and new pamphlets in this series dealing with other parts of the world. Two of these pamphlets on the new theme — by Dr N. Charlesworth on India and by Dr I. McPherson on Japan — are already in preparation. I should also emphasise that although the pamphlet is based on the assumption that economic forces played an important role in imperial expansion throughout the century, this is not meant to imply that political, religious or other non-economic motives were of no importance. In this survey they are, if only for reasons of space, simply omitted from consideration.