On Imperialism and Globalization
One of the modern world’s greatest concerns at present, the issue of globalization has affected certain countries and states much more than one can imagine. Bringing numerous changes to people’s life, their state’s policies and economy, globalization mixed with imperialism creates a fusion that can affect people’s lives in the most negative way.
In spite of the fact that Haiti is already past the threatening state of affairs that it experienced at the times of imperialism, it still survives the aftereffects left by the reign of the latter.
Although imperialism and globalization are rather widespread terms, they are quite hard to define, since they embrace a number of various phenomena and issues. However, incorporating certain ideas, scientists managed to find the definition for these all-embracing terms.
Unifying the political, economical and social ideas, one can produce a definition that could encompass all the spheres that these notions touch upon.
With help of this approach, one can find the most suitable definition for the abovementioned notions. Thus, it can be considered that globalization can be defined as an attempt to make the world states work in unity, whereas imperialism can be considered an aggressive attempt to capture the territories of the other state.
The USA and Haiti: Surviving Hard Times
One of the most famous examples of imperialism can be considered the relationships between the USA and Haiti. Though it was quite logical that the United States applied such approach to the Haitian territories, the fact of the imperialistic aggression could not be denied.
According to what Social Studies School Service says, the reasons for such behavior in the distant 1915 were quite clear: “The U.S. certainly doesn’t want a German naval base come close to the United States and the Panama Channel” (194). As Renda marked, “By 1913 President Wilson and his advisers were searching for a way to translate that position into definitive control” (30).
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Canada and Haiti
Another case of imperialistic behavior towards the Haitians was registered as the Canadians made attempt to intrude into the policy and economics of Haiti.
It is quite peculiar that this event took place in the XXI century, namely, in 2000-ies. As UTA Edco emphasized, “One of the most retrograde tendencies occurring within the Canadian non-profit sector has been its increasing collaboration with Canadian imperialism, notably in Afghanistan and Haiti” (188). It is worth noticing that such step was rather unexpected for the entire world.
Because of the Canada’s joining the imperialistic ideas, Haiti faced certain threat. Indeed, some time later the imperialistic Canada attempted to intrude into the state and impose their policy and their economics on the state and its citizens. According to UTA Edco,
The Canadian Haiti Action Network has been extensively involved in exposing Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funding and support for pseudo-human rights groups that have been used by the occupation forces and comprador Haitian elite to justify the detention of political prisoners such as Father Jean Juste in Haiti. (188)
Conclusion: The Reconciliation
Fortunately, the bone of discord that has remained for so long between Haiti and Canada, as well as Haiti and the USA, is now long forgotten.
Trying to establish new relationships with each other and attempting to integrate into a single entity with help of the globalization process, people feel much freer nowadays. However, globalization, as the process involving certain hardships, must demand much time. Thus, it will take another couple of decades for the states to reconstruct their relations.
Works Cited
Renda, Mary A. Taking Haiti: Military Occupation and the Culture of U. S.
Imperialism, 1915-1940. Chapel Hill, NC: UNC Press Books, 2001. Print.
Social Students School Service. Imperialism and Progressivism. Culver City, CA: Social Studies School Service, 2007. Print.
UTA Edco. Upping the Anti #6. Toronto, CA: Thistle Printing, 2008. Print.