Introduction: Corruption, Empire and Colonialism in the Modern Era: Towards a Global Perspective

Ronald Kroeze,Frédéric Monier,Pol Dalmau

doi:10.1007/978-981-16-0255-9_1

Ronald Kroeze, Frédéric Monier + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0255-9_1

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Abstract

AbstractScandal, corruption, exploitation and abuse of power have been linked to the history of modern empire-building. Colonial territories often became promised lands where individuals sought to make quick fortunes, sometimes in collaboration with the local population but more often at the expense of them. On some occasions, these shady dealings resulted in scandals that reached back to the metropolis, questioning civilising discourses in parliaments and the press, and leading to reforms in colonial administrations. This book is a first attempt to discuss the topic of corruption, empire and colonialism in a systematic manner and from a global comparative perspective. It does so through a set of original studies that examines the multi-layered nature of corruption in four different empires (Great Britain, Spain, the Netherlands and France) and their possessions in Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa.

Highlights

Corruption, Empire and Colonialism in the Modern Era: Towards a Global PerspectiveRonald Kroeze, Pol Dalmau, and Frédéric MonierScandal, corruption, exploitation and abuse of power have been linked to the history of modern empire-building
1 INTRODUCTION: CORRUPTION, EMPIRE ... 3 a word to be used for a great variety of deviations, corruption became more often defined in political terms as the misuse of public office or the general interest for private gain
A new political discourse developed in which corruption was portrayed as a remnant of “traditional” societies—in which “Ancien Régime” practices such as patronage and clientelism were rampant—that could be eliminated if the appropriate “modern” reforms were adopted

Summary

Introduction

Corruption, Empire and Colonialism in the Modern Era: Towards a Global Perspective. Scandal, corruption, exploitation and abuse of power have been linked to the history of modern empire-building. Important studies on the history of empire often mention corruption, for example, as one of the reasons for the fall or reform of certain imperial regimes.. Important studies on the history of empire often mention corruption, for example, as one of the reasons for the fall or reform of certain imperial regimes.3 These accounts provide valuable insights as they point at the role of misuse of power and resources as part of the “politics of difference” of imperial rule, but barely reflect more in depth on the links between colonialism and corruption. Recent years have seen a series of new publications on the history of corruption in Europe These studies have shown that corruption as an idea and discourse, as well as a practice, played an important role in the history of modern politics and state-building processes.

INTRODUCTION

Civilising Missions and “Oriental” Corruption

For example