Piracy, and the links between maritime raiding and empire building in the nineteenth century, are the focus of a new book by one of the University’s senior leaders.

Pirate Imperialism: Trade, Abolition, and Global Suppression of Maritime Raiding, 1825–1870, by historian Professor Manuel Barcia, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), has been published by Yale University Press.

The book explores how imperial powers around the world used the suppression of piracy, under the banner of spreading civilisation and free trade, as a back door to territorial expansion and the enforcement of imperialist agendas.

Professor Manuel Barcia said: “I wanted to write this book to expose a historical sleight of hand, and flip on its head the usual story we have been told time and again since we were children.

“Acts that looked very much like piracy, namely plunder, displacement, and coercion, were reframed as lawful or even civilising endeavours when carried out by imperial states. Meanwhile, those on the receiving end were criminalised as pirates, with deadly consequences for them and their communities.

“The book’s main subjects are not pirates defying empire in the traditional sense, but empires behaving like pirates, while labelling their victims as the outlaws. Accusations of ‘piracy’ became a convenient language for justifying dispossession and violence on a global scale.”

Prof Barcia leads the University of Bath’s International Strategy, advancing its global engagement across student recruitment, research, experience, and reputation.

He recently appeared on the New Books Networks podcast to discuss the book - you can listen to the episode here.

Pirate Imperialism is available at Yale University Press and other booksellers.