La géoéconomie comme forme de diplomatie : l’exemple de l’impérialisme britannique au Moyen-Orient avant 1914

Abstract

The efficiency of British informal imperialism in the 19th century depended on a strong and lasting interaction between economic interests and strategic stakes. When this condition could not be guaranteed, as was the case in the Middle East at the turn of the century, London resorted to more active intervention, which sometimes took the form of geo-economic diplomacy. The official umbrella was supposed to lessen the impact of any loss of economic attractiveness as an incentive to friendly investments. In return for this protection, private capitals were expected to abide by a strategic agenda that may be at odds with traditional economic calculations. The examples of the Persian Imperial Bank and the Turkish National Bank before 1914 show that the success of geo-economic diplomacy essentially depended on the balance of power between regional and international forces.

Keywords

• diplomatie
• géoéconomie
• Empire britannique
• Empire ottoman
• Perse
• Moyen-Orient