Colonial internationalism and the governmentality of empire, 1893–1982

Abstract

Florian Wagner's new book, Colonial internationalism and the governmentality of empire, 1893–1982, is a valuable contribution to imperial and colonial historiography. It traces the rise and lasting influence of the International Colonial Institute (ICI), which was founded in Brussels in 1893 and remained active until 1982. As Wagner convincingly argues, the ICI became the most influential colonial think tank of the twentieth century. According to the author, this influence was derived from ICI's transfer of knowledge and practices across European empires and in different colonial localities in Africa and Asia (other imperial regions, such as the Pacific and the Caribbean, are omitted from the research). Such knowledge-sharing was often dressed up with diplomatic language, progressive reformism or scientific pretexts, but in practice it entrenched, legitimized and prevented the reform of colonialism, undermining radical claims for independence. This was often done under the cover of ‘indigenous’ laws, knowledge or institutions and in ways that diminished the influence of nation-states. Thus, the ICI helped to embed the racist subjugation and impoverishment of the global South, for the economic and political betterment of the (mostly white) ICI members.