This book aims at presenting and assessing imperialism as a theoretical concept. It aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation, focusing specifically on the tension between Marx’s theoretical system of the Critique of Political Economy and the theories of capitalist expansion and domination. For over a century “imperialism” has been a key concept in Left theory and politics, connoting both the aggressiveness and the characteristics of modern capitalism. This book aims at presenting and assessing imperialism as a theoretical concept. Since a variety of different definitions are assigned to the notion of imperialism, it is necessary to put to the test the rigour of these definitions. The authors of this volume provide a comprehensive evaluation, focussing specifically on the tension between Marx’s theoretical system of the Critique of Political Economy and the theories of capitalist expansion and domination that emerge out of the various discourses on imperialism. This book is indispensable reading for post-graduates studying Political Economy and for all those seeking to understand the workings of capitalism.
Author(s): John Milios, Dimitris Sotiropoulos
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2009
Language: English
Commentary: Back cover
Pages: 257
Contents......Page 6
List of Tables......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 9
Introduction......Page 10
Part I: Theories of Imperialism as a Periodization and Interpretation of Capitalism: Some Open Theoretical Questions......Page 16
1 Classical Theories of Imperialism: A New Interpretation of Capitalist Rule, Expansionism, Capital Export, the Periodization and the ‘Decline’ of Capitalism......Page 18
2 Post-World War II ‘Metropolis-Periphery’ Theories of Imperialism......Page 42
3 Theories of Imperialism as Alternatives to Classical and Centre–Periphery Approaches......Page 63
Part II: Theories of Imperialism vis-à-vis Marx’s Critique of Political Economy......Page 98
4 The State as a Vehicle of both Capitalist Expansionism and Decolonization: Historical Evidence and Theoretical Questions......Page 100
5 Capitalist Mode of Production and Social Formation: Conclusions Concerning the Organization of Capitalist Power......Page 112
6 Capitalist Mode of Production and Monopolies......Page 121
7 Is Imperialism the Latest Stage of Capitalism? Reflections on the Question of Periodization of Capitalism and Stages of Capitalist Development......Page 130
Part III: National Territory and International Space: Internationalization of Capital, Financialization and Imperialist Chain......Page 154
8 Internationalization of Capital......Page 156
9 Financialization: Market Discipline or Capital Discipline?......Page 176
10 The ‘Global’ Level and the Concept of Imperialist Chain......Page 193
Epilogue: Rethinking Imperialism and Capitalist Rule......Page 220
Notes......Page 226
References......Page 244
E......Page 255
N......Page 256
W......Page 257
