IX Gentlemanly capitalism and British expansion overseas II: New imperialism 1850–1945

Abstract

Abstract The forces presented by what we have termed gentlemanly capitalism rose to prominence in the late 17th century. 1 At their centre stood the powerful landed interest which combined, in the manner of samurai, the prestige of inherited social position with progressive, market-oriented ambitions. Closely associated with the landed elite, and offering it both support and defence, were the “new men” of the emerging service sector, whose innovations in finance, distribution and the professions generated wealth and eventually bestowed social recognition. Important though the manufacturing sector was, it was also less dynamic than is often supposed, and its representatives lacked both prestige and direct access to the “charmed circles” where policy was formulated. In the 18th century, England's mission was concerned less with world conquest than with entrenching domestic political order in the aftermath of the Civil War. But political imperatives at home rapidly became linked to economic and military succ...