The Age of Empire

Hobsbawn's, "The Age of Empire," assesses the components that illustrated the civilization and society molded by the bourgeoisie was, in the grand scheme, a rudimentary phase in the initial advancements of the modern industrial world. In the first chapter, Hobsbawn illustrates the extent of the world's advancement in the 1880s when compared to the 1780s. The second chapter examines the vast and rapid economic expansion of the 1870s through the early 1900s. In the third chapter, Hobsbawn examines the manner in which 'core' capitalistic countries participated in the 'world of empire' via colonialism. The fourth chapter delves into the proliferation of democracy and the inevitable rise of dissent by the masses.

After reading Before European Hegemony, I find the justifications the Western civilizations had for imperialism to be quite interesting (yet expected). The same countries that set the tone in the economical world system are now viewed as primitive. Another aspect that somewhat correlates is Hobsbawn's word choice in describing the "developing" countries throughout the book thus far: "backward." I think that there is a more respectful and apt word to describe countries that are not as technologically and economically advanced as other countries. It just seems as if historians subtly reaffirm the antiquated and dangerous notions of 18th and 19th century western societies by describing nations as "backward."
-Lolia