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If imperial expansion were really nothing other than a phase of the natural history of a nation it would be as idle to protest against it as to argue with an earthquake. But the policy of civilised States differs from that of uncivilised States in resting more largely upon deliberate conscious choice, partaking more definitely of the character of conduct.

— J. A. Hobson Imperialism: A Study (1902)

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More quotes by J. A. Hobson

History does not show greed of gain as the motive of the great steps in industrial progress.

The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production (1906)

This new and enlarged edition of The Evolution of Modern Capitalism contains additions and alterations so great as to constitute it in effect a new book.

The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production (1906)

Economic nationalism means protective and discriminative tariffs, and a conservation of national, imperial or allied resources within a circle of favored beneficiaries.

The Morals of Economic Internationalism (1920)

On what a slippery slope ...international morality reposes.

The Morals of Economic Internationalism (1920)

Perhaps the worst of the three fallacies, and in a sense the deepest-rooted, is the concept of export trade as of more value than import trade.

The Morals of Economic Internationalism (1920)

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