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British Financial Imperialism and the Colonial Special Economic Zone. An analysis of the influence of foreign investment on local economic policies in the Cape Colony.

Easton, Alexander LU (2020) EKHS11 20201
Department of Economic History
Abstract
This thesis aims to address the limited spatial focus of existing critiques of British financial imperialism, by analysing the economic relationship between Britain and the Cape Colony,and integrating discreet sets of literature related to British imperialism and the economic history of the Cape Colony. Specifically, focus has centred on the diamond mining industry in Kimberley, which produced some of the highest returns on investment of any mining industry in Africa. The thesis discusses how the need to attract foreign investment from the UK to the mining industry shaped local policies towards institutions, infrastructure and labour. In this regard Kimberley became an informal special economic zone, as business thrived in an institutional... (More)
This thesis aims to address the limited spatial focus of existing critiques of British financial imperialism, by analysing the economic relationship between Britain and the Cape Colony,and integrating discreet sets of literature related to British imperialism and the economic history of the Cape Colony. Specifically, focus has centred on the diamond mining industry in Kimberley, which produced some of the highest returns on investment of any mining industry in Africa. The thesis discusses how the need to attract foreign investment from the UK to the mining industry shaped local policies towards institutions, infrastructure and labour. In this regard Kimberley became an informal special economic zone, as business thrived in an institutional environment which prioritised attracting foreign investment (primarily from the UK). Much like modern SEZs, the Kimberley mines became a space where unique economic opportunities could be found for investors, which were borne out of the weakness of existing institutions and the organisation of economic life around the privileges of race. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Easton, Alexander LU
supervisor
organization
course
EKHS11 20201
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Financial Imperialism, Cape Colony, Kimberley, Diamond Mining, Special Economic Zone.
language
English
id
9033276
date added to LUP
2021-02-15 09:10:58
date last changed
2021-02-15 09:10:58
@misc{9033276,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aims to address the limited spatial focus of existing critiques of British financial imperialism, by analysing the economic relationship between Britain and the Cape Colony,and integrating discreet sets of literature related to British imperialism and the economic history of the Cape Colony. Specifically, focus has centred on the diamond mining industry in Kimberley, which produced some of the highest returns on investment of any mining industry in Africa. The thesis discusses how the need to attract foreign investment from the UK to the mining industry shaped local policies towards institutions, infrastructure and labour. In this regard Kimberley became an informal special economic zone, as business thrived in an institutional environment which prioritised attracting foreign investment (primarily from the UK). Much like modern SEZs, the Kimberley mines became a space where unique economic opportunities could be found for investors, which were borne out of the weakness of existing institutions and the organisation of economic life around the privileges of race.}},
  author       = {{Easton, Alexander}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{British Financial Imperialism and the Colonial Special Economic Zone. An analysis of the influence of foreign investment on local economic policies in the Cape Colony.}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}