Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62
This book is open access under a CC BY license.

This is the first account of Britain’s plans for industrial development in its Caribbean colonies – something that historians have usually said Britain never contemplated. It shows that Britain’s remedy to the poor economic conditions in the Caribbean gave a key role to laboratory research to re-invent sugarcane as the raw material for making fuels, plastics and drugs. Science at the end of empire explores the practical and also political functions of scientific research and economic advisors for Britain at a moment in which Caribbean governments operated with increasing autonomy and the US was intent on expanding its influence in the region. Britain’s preferred path to industrial development was threatened by an alternative promoted through the Caribbean Commission. The provision of knowledge and expertise became key routes by which Britain and America competed to shape the future of the region, and their place in it.

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Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62
This book is open access under a CC BY license.

This is the first account of Britain’s plans for industrial development in its Caribbean colonies – something that historians have usually said Britain never contemplated. It shows that Britain’s remedy to the poor economic conditions in the Caribbean gave a key role to laboratory research to re-invent sugarcane as the raw material for making fuels, plastics and drugs. Science at the end of empire explores the practical and also political functions of scientific research and economic advisors for Britain at a moment in which Caribbean governments operated with increasing autonomy and the US was intent on expanding its influence in the region. Britain’s preferred path to industrial development was threatened by an alternative promoted through the Caribbean Commission. The provision of knowledge and expertise became key routes by which Britain and America competed to shape the future of the region, and their place in it.

45.95 In Stock
Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62

Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62

by Sabine Clarke
Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62

Science at the end of empire: Experts and the development of the British Caribbean, 1940-62

by Sabine Clarke

Hardcover

$45.95 
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Overview

This book is open access under a CC BY license.

This is the first account of Britain’s plans for industrial development in its Caribbean colonies – something that historians have usually said Britain never contemplated. It shows that Britain’s remedy to the poor economic conditions in the Caribbean gave a key role to laboratory research to re-invent sugarcane as the raw material for making fuels, plastics and drugs. Science at the end of empire explores the practical and also political functions of scientific research and economic advisors for Britain at a moment in which Caribbean governments operated with increasing autonomy and the US was intent on expanding its influence in the region. Britain’s preferred path to industrial development was threatened by an alternative promoted through the Caribbean Commission. The provision of knowledge and expertise became key routes by which Britain and America competed to shape the future of the region, and their place in it.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526131386
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Publication date: 09/05/2018
Series: Studies in Imperialism , #171
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Sabine Clarke is Lecturer in Modern History at the University of York

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. New uses for sugar
2. Scientific research and colonial development after 1940
3. ‘Men, money and advice’ for Caribbean development
4. Laboratory science, laissez-faire economics and modernity
5. An industrialisation programme for Trinidad
6. Bringing research ‘down from the skies’
7. Conclusion: Science and industrial development: lessons from Britain's imperial past
Bibliography
Index

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