Commerce and constitutionalism : the English East India Company and political culture in Scotland and Ireland, 1681-1813
The examination of Scottish and Irish links with the Atlantic realm of the British Empire has made an important contribution to national histories and imperial historiography. This thesis concentrates on an underdeveloped field of eighteenth- century historical studies of Scotland and of Ireland. Eighteenth-century perceptions of the English East India Company (EIC) in Scotland and Ireland have been analysed throughout this study, an approach offering a number of advantages. By shifting the geographic focus, established conceptualisations of Scottish and Irish provincialism, formulated within the field of Atlantic history, have been reviewed using evidence relating to the Asian Empire. This dissertation also contributes to Scottish and Irish comparative historiography. It exposes distinct similarities and subtle differences in the reactions of Scottish and Anglo-Irish societies to the EIC. Factions within both societies sought access to global trade, particularly once the parliaments of their respective countries had been constitutionally liberated. The monopoly posed fundamental questions in the politics of union and empire in both Scotland and Ireland. It prominently featured in Irish debates over union
Crerar, Anne
East India Company ; Scotland ; Ireland
Commerce and constitutionalism : the English East India Company and political culture in Scotland and Ireland, 1681-1813. The examination of Scottish and Irish links with the Atlantic realm of the British Empire has made an important contribution to national histories and imperial historiography. This thesis concentrates on an underdeveloped field of eighteenth- century historical studies of Scotland and of Ireland. Eighteenth-century perceptions of the English East India Company (EIC) in Scotland and Ireland have been analysed throughout this study, an approach offering a number of advantages. By shifting the geographic focus, established conceptualisations of Scottish and Irish provincialism, formulated within the field of Atlantic history, have been reviewed using evidence relating to the Asian Empire. This dissertation also contributes to Scottish and Irish comparative historiography. It exposes distinct similarities and subtle differences in the reactions of Scottish and Anglo-Irish societies to the EIC. Factions within both societies sought access to global trade, particularly once the parliaments of their respective countries had been constitutionally liberated. The monopoly posed fundamental questions in the politics of union and empire in both Scotland and Ireland. It prominently featured in Irish debates over union
commerce english east_india_company political_culture scotland_ireland examination scottish irish link atlantic realm british_empire make_important national_history imperial historiography concentrate field historical_study scotland_ireland eighteenth_century perception english east_india_company scotland_ireland analyse throughout_study offer number advantage shift geographic focus establish conceptualisation scottish irish formulate within_field atlantic history review use evidence_relate asian empire also_contribute scottish irish comparative historiography expose distinct similarity subtle difference reaction scottish anglo irish society within_society seek access global trade particularly parliament respective country liberate monopoly pose fundamental_question politics union empire scotland_ireland prominently feature irish debate union