The Political Economy of Imperial Relations ― Britain, the Sterling Area, and Malaya 1945-1960

The Political Economy of Imperial Relations considers the relationship between Britain and Malaya after World War Two in theoretical and historical terms. It develops a new approach to imperialism, situating an understanding of the state in terms of the global economy. This approach challenges existing accounts of the relationship between Britain and Malaya by positing that it can best be characterized in terms of continuity rather than discontinuity. By analyzing the period from 1945 to 1960, the book charts Britain's commitment to Malaya, as well as Malaya's value to Britain, as part of the Sterling Area and in terms of the difficulties facing both the British and global economy at the time.

Alex Sutton is Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. His research interests and published work focus on the British Empire in the 20th Century, and the intellectual history of the study of imperialism.