Aspects of British colonial policies and Maltese patterns of behaviour

Abstract

In this essay in attempt is made to relate some aspects of Maltese social life to the policies implemented by the British Colonial Administration. The emphasis is on economic, political and religious institutions. The aim is to provide a sociological interpretation of certain processes and patterns of behaviour as these may relate to certain historical events. The evidence for these events is drawn from published secondary sources. Therefore in these respects, at least, there is no claim for originality. Nor does this account present a comprehensive assessment of the extent of British colonial impact on Malta's soda-economic life. Important areas which were deeply influenced by the exercise of colonial power structure, like education, health and sanitation are barely touched upon Or simply mentioned in passing. Certain concepts like that of "elites" or "culture" which are widely used in this essay are intended as usually understood by sociologists. Thus the former refers to a political, economic or status minority which may be entrenched at the top of a society, group, or other social category whether this is openly democratic or not. The latter refers to the ideas, values and norms influencing social behaviour, and defining inter-relations rather than simply to any artistic or literary heritage.