Imperialism has a multifaceted definition. The more common application is its view as empire-building, expansion of territorial, economic and political holds, and power enlargement as a whole. It comes with increased control as well as the subjection of the conquered to the rules and the demands of the conqueror. Imperialism, therefore, refers to authority expansion and dominion over other territories. On the other side, imperialism refers to chauvinistic superiority as well as an attitude of subordination towards other people.
The imperialist in this case purposes to dominate other people’s works activities and cultures to reflect his own. Besides the term applying to geographical or political domains, it applies to other domains such as the values knowledge, beliefs, and values such as religions. The imperialists, in this case, seeks to inculcate the other people and make their belief in his beliefs and see things his way, either out of force or by conviction. Imperialism, as done by the Americans in imposing its supremacy and dominion over other areas, is the hallmark of present-day imperialism. This imperialism had impacts that can be assessed in both pessimistic and affirmative terms and have had both good and bad consequences.
According to (Kinzer 2006) strong nations strike the weaker ones to gain power and control over them. Such a strike is aimed at imposing the stronger countries’ ideology or increasing its access to the available valuable resources. The positive consequences of such takeovers and dominion cannot be refuted, on the other hand, the negative impacts of the same are far-reaching. As (Kinzer 2006), further points out, the invasion of Iraq as an example has had far-reaching consequences.
In the words of (Barbit 1924) democracy has been taken as the opposite of imperialism and as a close associate to liberty. The fact that imperialism can be used to bring democracy is subject to analysis. In the efforts to take over the domains of control and influence that hitherto belonged to others, several effects might be experienced in the political and social set-ups of the conquered. The impact of imperialism on democracy is therefore arguable.
Imperialism can be used to impose democracy like in the instances where the overthrow of a government is used in installing a more democratic state or governance. An example is given of the overthrow of the Hawaii Queen and the eventual setting up of democracy, (Kinzer 2006). It is a useful tool for deposing unwanted regimes and replacing them. Similarly, it is also used to overthrow the establishments that have fallen out of favor with the majority. By so doing therefore a more favorable system is established, one that has got the support of the majority. Democracy is informed by imperialistic ideas where the majority dictates over the minority. Good imperialism is characterized by improved standards of living if the powers in control have proper governance and improved general welfare.
On the negative side, imperialism leads to the destruction of values of democracy as well as the imperialists trying to enforce their ideas on their subjects. There are instances when the system of governance of a strong-weak state might not be in agreement with the practices of a stronger state. The strong might attack and depose the weaker states’ governance on the pretext that they are after establishing more democratic governance. In this light therefore the intended misdeeds are masked democratic overtones.
This is despite the fact that the imperialists are dictatorial in the way they affect the changes. The other problem is the efforts of the imperialist in trying to capture the available economic resources of their subjects. Similarly, the belief in liberty and freedom of the states is also interfered with. The people are put under foreign legislation that serves the dictates of the imperialists. The people are bound to feel like subjects to a dictatorship and not a democracy.
This is what the socialist term as the proletariat being accountable to the elite. American imperialism starting from the capture and trade in slaves all the way to the overthrow of governments served a great deal in destroying the existing concepts of democracy. The people similarly have adopted the same attitude where the bigger economic powers take over the smaller ones and the rich push the poor from their properties.
History has to develop and give judgment on the consequences and the effects of American imperialism on the democracy in societies as well as the democracy in societies. The imperialism as practiced by the Americans ought to not only serve a purpose of strengthening the American hold on affairs of other states, but it should as well improve the welfare of people. Such imperialism should be evaluated in terms of the positive mark it has on the democratization process in a state.
The evaluation that is based on information about the outcomes of other takeovers should be the basis on which imperialism should be judged. The judgment becomes the reason for either the continuation or discontinuation of imperialism and thereby shaping history.
References
Kinzer, S., (2007). Overthrow: A century of American Regime Change. Washington: Macmillan Publishers.
National Humanities Institute, (2000). The choice to be faced: Democracy Imperialism and Standards. Web.