Property, land and territory in the making of overseas empires

Abstract

This book revolves around three keywords – property, land, and territory. Along with others, such as glory, honour, conquest, commerce and religion, these words constituted some of the most powerful driving forces that pushed European peoples and rulers to the colonial and imperial venture. However, these words, or the notions behind them, are as powerful as they are difficult to define, given the breath of their meanings, and the reader will probably be wondering what is the meaning assigned to them in this book and why are they put side-by-side in the title.