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The aim of colonialism (at least according to Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations [1]) was to exploit the New World's resources in order to accumulate wealth. E
by toomanybeersies 6y ago
The aim of colonialism (at least according to Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations [1]) was to exploit the New World's resources in order to accumulate wealth. Extending authority over these territories was just a means to this end.
These days, rather than the Spanish Empire stripping South America of its gold and silver, it's individual workers emigrating to countries with a low cost of living to maximise their own personal wealth.
[1] https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/119#Smith_0206-02_185 https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/119#Smith_0206-02_185
- Chris2048 6y agoBy this definition, any immigrant is a colonialist? How exactly does this "exploit the New World's resources" given they will probably get less infrastructure than in their country of origin?
- toomanybeersies 6y agoRead the book, or at least the chapter on colonialism (it's not too long), it answers both your questions. Apologies for not giving you a proper reply, I'm just about to go to sleep.
- Chris2048 6y agoI still can't see how this applies to "digital nomads".