Business imperialism and business history

Abstract

The special issues of the South African Journal of Economic History have focussed alternatively on macro-economic and micro-economic topics. The first one, Economic interpretations of nineteenth century imperialism, was decidedly macro in its approach; the second one, Entrepreneurs of the industrial revolution presented a micro approach. Both were intended as useful teaching aids; the former because of its obvious relevance to South Africa and the need for a balanced approach to the subject; the latter, because of its perennial interest as marking the beginning of modern economic growth.