Imperialism may refer to a policy, practice, or support of expanding one country’s power and dominance over another. This activity may be carried out in two unique ways: first, by physically acquiring geographical territories; second, by indirectly influencing other places’ economies or politics. Both of these methods are viable options. This article will investigate the history of imperialism as well as the many reasons that people all around the world have had for engaging in imperialism. In addition, as a stand, I believe that imperialism did not end in the 20th century, and it is still experienced currently in the discussed forms in the essay.
European superpowers like Spain and England exerted significant effort in the 15th and 16th centuries to expand their spheres of influence. Such aggressive territorial expansion via force and coercion may be traced back to the earliest days of the empire. But imperialism itself became a social structure as time went on. This method was no longer mocked but celebrated as an example for other countries to follow (Valencia 24). One such imperialist state today is the United States of America. Because of its large and powerful military, it dominates the majority of developing nations. The United States has shown imperialist tendencies in several conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ invasion of Iraq, and the Afghan War.
In modern civilization, there are four significant forms of imperialism (Streets-Salter et al. 498). First, colonialism is the most direct form of imposing one’s will on other nations and countries in contemporary times. In this kind of imperialism, a powerful nation invades another nation and establishes its government and legal system (Harvey 213). As a consequence of being denied a say in the creation of the laws and policies of the other country, its people are reduced to second-class citizens. Foreign officials often station themselves in the nation of origin to ensure the effective execution of their authority. According to (The Associated Press), Macro appealing to Africans to side with Russians against Ukraine indicates colonial imperialism.
Second, a nation may rule itself via an internal government contemporary imperialism called protectorate imperialism. Under imperialism, the nation is still mainly under the authority of an outside force. Although they are permitted to continue in office and govern the nation, homeland authorities cannot do so. While the foreign power handles all significant issues, including economic choices and international affairs, there is only a limited amount of self-rule. Among the kingdoms that fell under Roman rule were those of Numidia, Macedonia, Syria, and Pergamum.
Consequently, the concept of economic imperialism is still prevalent in many countries today. A reference to companies’ effect on emerging and newly independent governments. This imperialism forbids the indirect use of political ties to governing a country. Instead, its strength is derived from the marketplace via trade and investing (Poulantzas 31). As a result, the global power has considerable economic and political clout over other nations. Dole Fruit Company, based in the United States, runs a massive network of farms throughout the continent and controls most of the pineapple trade in Hawaii.
In conclusion, imperialism had returned to contemporary society, despite seeming to have disappeared when the great majority of nations attained independence. Even though international agreements, treaties, and markets have aided in tying nations together, imperialism remains since more powerful nations have essentially seized control of the less developed ones.
Works Cited
Harvey, David. “The new imperialism: accumulation by dispossession.” Karl Marx. Routledge, 2017. 213-237.
Poulantzas, Nicos. Classes in contemporary capitalism. Verso Books, 2018
Singh, Paramjit. “Classical Theory of Imperialism and Contemporary Capitalism.”Journal of Contemporary Asia, vol. 52, no. 3, 2021, pp. 353–77. Crossref.
Streets-Salter, Heather, and Trevor R. Getz. Empires and Colonies in the Modern World: A Global Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016.
The Associated Press. “NPR Cookie Consent and Choices.”Russia and the West Are Vying for Influence in Africa and Ukraine Is a Big Reason Why, 2022.
Valencia, Adrián Sotelo. “United States in a World in Crisis: The Geopolitics of Precarious Work and Super-exploitation.” United States in a World in Crisis. Brill, 2020.