Explores the central role of the British Empire in developing transnational ideas, institutions and social movements of increasing scope and influence in the eras of high imperialism and the two world wars. Chapters follow transnational dynamics and debates over sovereignty in the domains of sexuality, law, politics, culture and religion.
'In this imaginatively conceived collection of essays, ten historians offer critical analyses of demands generated by Britain's empire that subverted its own internal organisation in favour of more far-reaching structures and practices. With a welcome precision they range from police recruitment to age of consent legislation and human rights, and significantly widen the terms of this stimulating debate.' - Professor Andrew Porter, King's College London, UK
'This timely and stimulating collection from a group of talented historians explores the ways in which empires fostered transnational networks and identities, global connections and challenges. It makes an important contribution to our understanding of the antecedents of the contemporary world.' - Catherine Hall, Professor of Modern British Social and Cultural History, University College London
'Transnationalism - the coexistence of intense social, economic and political ties across national boundaries - is often thought to epitomize our world today. Yet the contributors to this volume richly demonstrate ways in which such global connections also characterized the imperial and nascent nation-state systems of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Beyond Sovereignty is a welcome addition, if not a corrective, towards understanding a variety of far-reaching global processes.' - Steven Vertovec, University of Oxford
'Through their detailed treatment of a varied and relevant range of topics these essays enhance our understanding of the wider global and transnational processes accompanying and manifesting themselves in the collectivities that comprised the largest empire in modern history.' - Chandrika Kaul, English Historical Review
