The Pressure Group Activity of Federated Chambers of Commerce: The Joint West Africa Committee and the Colonial Office, c. 1903–1955

ABSTRACT:Existing studies of business pressure group activity have examined individual chambers of commerce. This article considers the neglected theme of federated metropolitan chambers of commerce in the British Empire with a case study of an important business pressure group—the Joint West Africa Committee (JWAC) of the Liverpool, Manchester, and London Chambers of Commerce. It highlights, on the one hand, the tension between colonial officials and merchants over the content and direction of colonial policy. It also examines, on the other hand, the negotiation of divergent interests among the collaborating chambers themselves. In all, the JWAC was beleaguered by frequent internal questioning of its efficacy and relevance, recurring duels with the imperial and colonial governments, and the challenges of two world wars and decolonization. Its history suggests the relative autonomy of the state vis-à-vis national capital.