The mid-twentieth century saw the end of colonial empires, a global phenomenon that brought about profound changes and created enormous problems. Decolonization played a major part in shaping the contemporary world order and the domestic development of newly emerging states in the 'Third World'. In Decolonization, Raymond Betts considers this process and its outcomes. Drawing on numerous examples, including those of Ghana, India, Rwanda and Hong Kong, the author examines: the effects of two World Wars on the colonial empire the expectations and problems created by independence Major demographic shifts accompanying the end of empire Cultural experiences, literary movements and the search for ideology of the dying empire and newly independent nations The second edition brings the discussion up to date and looks at contemporary concerns such as the growth of Islamic Fundamentalism, 9/11, globalization and the AIDS pandemic.

The mid-20th century saw the end of colonial empires, a global phenomenon that brought about profound changes and created enormous problems. Decolonization played a major part in shaping the contemporary world order and the domestic development of newly emerging states in the "third world".;In "Decolonization", Raymond Betts considers this process and its outcomes. Drawing on numerous examples, including those of Ghana, India, Rwanda and Hong Kong, the author examines: the effects of two world wars on the colonial empire; the expectations and problems created by independence; major demographic shifts accompanying the end of empire; and cultural experiences, literary movements and the search for ideology of the dying empire and newly independent nations.;The second edition looks at contemporary concerns such as the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, 9/11, globalization and the AIDS pandemic.