This study, first published in 1983, is primarily concerned with what the British economists over the period 1860 to 1914 wrote on a range of economic and non-economic aspects of the British Empire, and the reasons for their conclusions.

Part One: Introduction; 1. Introduction 2. Classical Economists and the Empire, 1776-1860 3. The Economic Stage, 1860-1914; Part Two: The Shadow of J S Mill: The 1860s Economists; 4. J S Mill’s Critics: Goldwin Smith and J E T Rogers 5. J S Mill’s Admirers: J E Cairnes and Henry Fawcett; Part Three: Mainstream Economics, 1870-1914; 6. Economic Orthodoxy: W S Jevons, Henry Sidgwick and Alfred Marshall 7. The Classical Tradition: J S Nicholson and the Rehabilitation of Adam Smith: Sir Robert Giffen, Master Statistician J S Nicholson ; Part Four: Alternatives to Orthodox Economics; 8. William James Ashley and William Cunningham: English Economic Historians William James Ashley 9. W A S Hewins: The Self-Acclaimed Imperialist 10. J A Hobson: The Self-Confessed Heretic; Part Five: Conclusion; 11. Conclusion; Select Bibliography; Index