J.A. Hobson, Imperialism

J.A. Hobson's accounts and descriptions of Imperialism lead it to be perceived as a dangerous thing for society and hardly constituting a national policy, as "the interests of the nation are opposed to every act of this expansive policy." This doctrine allows not only for the acquisition and control of other states, but also allows any British subject that chooses to venture into a foreign state to call upon his nation to retaliate if he or his property is injured, regardless of entering for his own private choosing or profit.

Furthermore, this explanation of Imperialism places the military, political and financial resources of the nation to be available at the drop of a hat and at the public's expense. Hobson also points out that the individuals who push for these policies are "in no proper sense the accredited representatives of the country." They simply chose to force these policies on the nation for self-seeking interests, in order to further their own personal advantage. He referred to the power as "a natural outcome of an unsound theory in our foreign policy."

It is also noted that they used these tactics as justification for their territorial acquisitions. Hobson further defines Imperialist policies by stating, "the most reckless and irresponsible individual members of our nation are permitted to direct our foreign policy." While the dictionary refers to Imperialism as "the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas," it hardly depicts the full story as to the powerful motives and repercussions that were truly behind these self-serving policies.