Raubwirtschaft
Encyclopedia
Raubwirtschaft is a form of economy
where the goal is to plunder the wealth and resources of a country or geographical area. Raubwirtschaft is synonymous of colonialism
, where there is no intention of developing the colony economically more than strictly needed for exploitation
purposes. The term is also used in a non-geographical sense, somewhat similar to the term "rapine."
The term Raubwirtschaft is often used to describe some late 19th-century colonial and post-colonial practices during the Scramble for Africa
. The Congo Free State
of Leopold II of Belgium
is frequently described as a Raubwirtschaft.
One form of Raubwirtschaft is to start war against one's neighbours and then either plunder their national property and asset or extort them as war reparations.
The term is also used to describe the rainforest destruction. In a non-geographical sense, it may describe the illicit antiquities trade.
Arnold J. Toynbee
has stated the economy of the Roman Empire
was based on Raubwirtschaft. Rome basically plundered the conquered territories and milked the provinces dry; there was little cash flow from Rome to the provinces. The internal economy was based on slavery
, and unpaid work had no purchasing power.
This effectively also prevented the rise of a middle class
and the following growth in domestic consumption and spending by a larger percentage of the population. The economy could be maintained only as long as the Empire was expanding; once the era of conquests ended in the Pax Romana
, the empire was doomed.
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
where the goal is to plunder the wealth and resources of a country or geographical area. Raubwirtschaft is synonymous of colonialism
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
, where there is no intention of developing the colony economically more than strictly needed for exploitation
Exploitation
This article discusses the term exploitation in the meaning of using something in an unjust or cruel manner.- As unjust benefit :In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for...
purposes. The term is also used in a non-geographical sense, somewhat similar to the term "rapine."
The term Raubwirtschaft is often used to describe some late 19th-century colonial and post-colonial practices during the Scramble for Africa
Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Race for Africa or Partition of Africa was a process of invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and World War I in 1914...
. The Congo Free State
Congo Free State
The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa which was privately controlled by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Its origins lay in Leopold's attracting scientific, and humanitarian backing for a non-governmental organization, the Association internationale africaine...
of Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...
is frequently described as a Raubwirtschaft.
One form of Raubwirtschaft is to start war against one's neighbours and then either plunder their national property and asset or extort them as war reparations.
The term is also used to describe the rainforest destruction. In a non-geographical sense, it may describe the illicit antiquities trade.
Arnold J. Toynbee
Arnold J. Toynbee
Arnold Joseph Toynbee CH was a British historian whose twelve-volume analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations, A Study of History, 1934–1961, was a synthesis of world history, a metahistory based on universal rhythms of rise, flowering and decline, which examined history from a global...
has stated the economy of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
was based on Raubwirtschaft. Rome basically plundered the conquered territories and milked the provinces dry; there was little cash flow from Rome to the provinces. The internal economy was based on slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, and unpaid work had no purchasing power.
This effectively also prevented the rise of a middle class
Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
and the following growth in domestic consumption and spending by a larger percentage of the population. The economy could be maintained only as long as the Empire was expanding; once the era of conquests ended in the Pax Romana
Pax Romana
Pax Romana was the long period of relative peace and minimal expansion by military force experienced by the Roman Empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Since it was established by Caesar Augustus it is sometimes called Pax Augusta...
, the empire was doomed.