Description

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For Marxists, imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism. Critical analysis of imperialism has been a feature of Marxist thought throughout the twentieth century. The conceptualising and theorising of imperialism by Marxists has evolved over time in response to developments in the global capitalist economy and in international politics. Murray Noonan here provides the first complete analysis of Marxist theories of imperialism in two decades. Presenting three phases of imperialist theories, he analyses and compares 'pioneers', 'revolutionaries' and 'analysts'. Acknowledging the end of empire and continued threats to the nation-state, the book moves chronologically, tracking the origins of imperialism theorised by J.A. Hobson at the beginning of the twentieth century up to the present day. He critically identifies and engages with a new 'globalisation-era' phase of Marxist imperialism theory, with a move away from Eurocentric to transnational ideas. Through a detailed scholarly analysis of the history and evolution of, Noonan offers vital new perspectives on imperialist theory and its relevance and application in the twenty-first century.

About the Author

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Murray Noonan is a visiting research fellow at the Alfred Deakin Research Institute, Deakin University. He holds a PhD from Victoria University, Melbourne.