Taxing Colonial Africa: The Political Economy of British Imperialism (Oxford Historical Monographs)

Name: Taxing Colonial Africa: The Political Economy of British Imperialism (Oxford Historical Monographs)
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Book Synopsis: How much did the British Empire cost, and how did Britain pay for it? Taxing Colonial Africa explores a source of funds much neglected in research on the financial structure of the Empire, namely revenue raised in the colonies themselves. Requiring colonies to be financially self-sufficient was one of a range of strategies the British government used to lower the cost of imperial expansion to its own Treasury. Focusing on British colonies in Africa, Leigh Gardner examines how their efforts to balance their budgets influenced their relationships with local political stakeholders as well as the imperial government. She finds that efforts to balance the budget shaped colonial public policy at every level, and that compromises made in the face of financial constraints shaped the political and economic institutions that were established by colonial administrations and inherited by the former colonies at independence.

Using both quantitative data on public revenue and expenditure as well as archival records from archives in both the UK and the former colonies, Gardner follows the development of fiscal policies in British Africa from the beginning of colonial rule through the first years of independence. During the formative years of colonial administration, both the structure of taxation and the allocation of public spending reflected the two central goals of colonial rule: maintaining order as cheaply as possible and encouraging export production. Taxing Colonial Africa examines how the fiscal systems established before 1914 coped with the upheavals of subsequent decades, including the two World Wars, the Great Depression, and finally the transfer of power.

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Taxing Colonial Africa: The Political Economy of British Imperialism is a groundbreaking book that delves into a crucial aspect of the British Empire's financial structure. This comprehensive research explores the often overlooked source of revenue raised in the colonies themselves. Discover how colonies were expected to be financially self-sufficient and how this strategy significantly impacted their relationships with political stakeholders and the imperial government. By analyzing the fiscal policies in British Africa from colonial rule to independence, this book sheds light on the influence of financial constraints on political and economic institutions.

Unveil the fascinating world of colonial public policy as it intertwines with the struggle to balance the budget. Drawing upon quantitative data and archival records from both UK and former colonies, Leigh Gardner offers a comprehensive view of the development of fiscal policies in British Africa. From the early days of colonial administration to the turbulent years encompassing World Wars, the Great Depression, and the transfer of power, this book provides an unparalleled analysis of the challenges faced by colonial governments.

Gain insights into the intricate structure of taxation and the intricate allocation of public spending. Taxing Colonial Africa highlights two central goals of colonial rule - maintaining order and encouraging export production. Explore how these goals shaped the fiscal systems established before 1914 and how they coped with the subsequent upheavals. Whether you are an academic researcher, history enthusiast, or simply curious about the British Empire's financial legacy, this book is a must-read.

Ready to uncover the untold stories of colonial finance? Order Taxing Colonial Africa: The Political Economy of British Imperialism today and be captivated by Leigh Gardner's meticulous research and engaging narrative. Discover the political, economic, and historical significance of the financial structure of the British Empire. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of colonial Africa's complex history.

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