This book is an attempt to understand the world economy of today and the inter-relationships especially of the rich and poor peoples within it. It is primarily concerned with Britain and the Commonwealth; but the picture here presented is painted on a wide canvas. The past is examined as much as the present in order to try to get bearings for the future.
The urgency of such a study is dictated by the historic choice that faces Britain today. With the colonial empire behind us, we stand at a divide in the road. Along one way lies an immediate future within the confines of a United States of Europe; the other way the prospect is more distant, for it involves the establishment of nothing less than an all embracing world-wide economic and political association. It is in the belief that there is here a real divide, that the first road does not lead on to the second, but is a cul-de-sac, and that only the second road can provide the possibility of assur ing the livelihood of the British people and at the same time of establishing peace and prosperity among all peoples, that this book is written.
The book is directed primarily to that growing body of readers who, though not themselves specialists, have more than the smattering of economic concepts of the ordinary man in the street. Its writing has arisen directly from lectures given in adult-education classes over more than ten years under the auspices of Technical Colleges, the Workers Educational Association and University Extramural depart ments. Herein lies the explanation for what may seem a rather surprising variation throughout the book on the level of sophistication of treatment.
The general argument of the book, where it draws on widely accepted findings of the specialists, is pitched at a fairly unsophisticated level. It is hoped that the reader will be able to follow along easily enough, aided by the intro duction and conclusion to each chapter, to keep him on the main line of argument. At the same time, certain specific arguments which challenge accepted findings, as in the case of Lenin's imperialism, the terms of trade or the causes of post-war inflation, are deliberately pitched at a rather higher level, so that the reader may have the chance to evaluate for himself the material that is presented. The rather exhaustive references and the comprehensive nature of some of the statistical tables are designed to provide the reader with the tools for further study in addition to underpinning the argu ment of the book.
When all this has been said, specialists may still find the often crude and cursory historical, economic and political judgements irritating and even inadequately based. My defence is that an attempt has sometimes to be made to connect the pieces of individual research together and to see the picture whole. This is such an attempt. If it provokes discussion and disagreement, not only on detail, but on the general thesis that is put forward, then it will have done its job.