Journal of Historical Political Economy > Vol 2 > Issue 2

Rivalry and Empire: How Competition among European States Shaped Imperialism

Jan P. Vogler, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz, Germany, jan.vogler@duke.edu
 
Suggested Citation
Jan P. Vogler (2022), "Rivalry and Empire: How Competition among European States Shaped Imperialism", Journal of Historical Political Economy: Vol. 2: No. 2, pp 189-234. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/115.00000028

Publication Date: 25 Jul 2022
© 2022 J. P. Vogler
 
Subjects
Comparative politics,  European politics,  Government,  Interest groups,  International conflict,  International organization,  International relations,  Political economy,  Political history,  Political organizations,  Security,  War
 
Keywords
Interstate rivalrywarimperialismcolonialismEuropean state system
 

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In this article:
Introduction and Literature Review 
The Historical Origins of Rivalry in Europe: Climate, Geography, and Politics 
The Consequences of Competition: Imperialism as a Result of Intra-European Struggles 
Qualitative Case Studies of Two Interstate Rivalries 
Conclusion 
Acknowledgments 
References 

Abstract

For centuries, European history was characterized by a fundamental asymmetry. While interpolity relations on the continent were often relatively balanced — without any dominant power being able to permanently establish a hierarchical relationship to the other major powers — the relations between European states and polities in other world regions were generally hierarchical and exploitative, as manifested in colonialism and imperialism. How can we explain this difference? I argue that the symmetrical character of relationships among major European powers, particularly in the form of sustained and intense military and economic competition, was partly constitutive of the hierarchical relationships between those same powers and other parts of the world. Specifically, three mechanisms connect sustained rivalries to imperialism: (1) political elites' desire to improve their relative status/prestige through territorial gains, (2) pressure from public budget deficits that incentivized colonial exploitation, and (3) the creation of powerful interest groups in the form of navies and armies that favored imperialism. Moreover, when territorial conflict over colonies escalated, imperial expansion could ultimately feed back into interpolity competition in Europe. I demonstrate these dynamics through systematic analyses of the rivalries between England and France (1689–1815) and between Imperial Germany and Great Britain (1871/1897–1918).

DOI:10.1561/115.00000028

Companion

Journal of Historical Political Economy, Volume 2, Issue 2 Special Issue - The Political Economy of Empire: Articles Overview
See the other articles that are part of this special issue.