Informal Empire: The Origin and Significance of a Key Term

Ever since the publication of “The Imperialism Free Trade” by John Gallagher and Ronald Robinson in 1953, “informal empire” has been a key term for historians. It has, however, always contentious. The central issue was whether imperial historians were prepared to accept new concept empire. This article explains paradox informal empire creating stronger provenance term. Since early nineteenth century, metaphors have used characterize Britain's position world economy. Robinson—like their immediate predecessors, Charles Fay Keith Hancock—wanted understand British imperialism broader context European expansion while also formulating an alternative radical liberal neo-Marxist interpretations widely current after World War I. Ultimately, difficulty using “empire” as single category led one his most influential successors choose