This volume is a synthesis and analysis of colonialism from its origins to the present. Marc Ferro gives comparative coverage of all the European colonial powers (including Russia), as well as Arab, Turk and Japanese colonialism. In addition, he presents perspectives from the ex-colonies, offering an alternative to the conventional Euro-centric view. He emphasizes the social and cultural aspects of colonization, and looks at the new types of societies and economies to which it gave birth. The book also covers decolonization, and the author looks at how the globalization of the world economy has affected independence movements up to the present day.