Imperialism and World Politics, Part 4 of 4


Read by Alister

Moon’s Iᴍᴘᴇʀɪᴀʟɪsᴍ ᴀɴᴅ Wᴏʀʟᴅ Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄs is perhaps the best-known work of the Columbia University professor and political scientist; It was published in 1926 and did not go out-of-print until at least 1940. “What convenient volume,” he asks, exists as a “general account of the greater imperialism of our own times?” A question which was suitably answered by the publication of this sweeping survey of the field.

Written in what would prove to be the gathering twilight of European imperialism, and with the inclination towards reflection that only the aftermath of a great catastrophe like the First World War can evoke, this work spans the globe and follows behind Great Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Germany, Japan and the United States as they shaped world politics to their own ends—imposing their will on states, economies and peoples.

Moon writes of his work that, “It can make no claim to finality.” Indeed, this is surely not the last word on the subject. Not in the past. Not even, truly, in the present. And yet, Moon’s work does possess a greater degree of finality then he at the time, perhaps, might have credited.

THIS IS PART FOUR OF FOUR.
In the final part, Moon examines the role and viability of small nations within Imperialist world politics as well as trans-Atlantic relations, covers the League of Nations, examines the mandate system including in Syria and Palestine and considers the value of the court of public opinion.

It also draws together a set of conclusions which will not be summarized here.
- Summary by Alister (4 hr 40 min)