On Humans Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy
Jul 19, 2025
Tirthankar Roy, a Professor at the London School of Economics and author of 'The Origins of Colonialism', delves into the intricate relationship between climate and colonialism. He argues that European powers initially focused on trade over governance, with local environmental factors playing crucial roles. Discussing British dominance in India, Roy highlights the strategic importance of coastal regions and how access to water shaped agriculture and state stability. He connects these insights to broader colonial dynamics, revealing the complexities of imperialism across Asia and Africa.
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Colonialism Began at Ports
- European empires began with trade ports, not conquest or governance.
- The transition to rule involved complex inland political and geographic factors, not just European action.
Old vs New World Colonialism
- New world colonialism involved settler states on depopulated lands.
- Old world colonialism involved integrating with existing states through trade and alliances.
Dual Forces of Colonization
- European sea expansion combined maritime capacity and local inland conditions.
- Understanding colonization requires seeing both European impulse and indigenous contexts.
