Imperial inequalities: the politics of economic governance across European empires.

"Imperial Inequalities: The Politics of Economic Governance across European Empires" is a significant book edited by Gurminder Bhambra and Julia McClure that explores the lasting impact of colonialism on contemporary political and economic systems. The book is organized into thematic sections and includes contributions from various disciplines, covering centuries of European colonialism. The authors highlight three recurring themes: the emergence of states as colonial and imperial creations, the generation of wealth for European countries at the expense of colonies, and the ongoing deepening of inequalities between the West and its former colonies. The book examines mechanisms employed to fund early colonialism, the enduring influence of colonialism on the global economic order, and the ways in which colonial inequalities were built into postcolonial states. It also explores how the British imperial state shaped taxation and welfare in Great Britain, and the price that colonies and former colonies paid for the creation of the modern welfare state. While not comprehensive, the book raises important questions about the foundations of the world's economic and political order and highlights the continued impact of European colonization. [Extracted from the article]