Empire & World SystemProblems of Representation

Level I: Technological

By 1900: ¼ of globe’s surface ruled formally by England (“informalempire” larger).400 million people formally subject to British sovereignty; more under “influence”

Level II: Political / Cultural

George Cruikshank,The British Beehive, 1867, etching

Level III: Economic

Bleak House (1853) as World System?

Dickens’ massive novel, inspired by the Great Exhibition (1851)

Mrs. Jellyby: “telescopic philanthropy” http://www.princeton.edu/~asfaw/resources/images/

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