Modern imperialism involves expansion of capitalism; it inherits the practices of capitalism, that is, the control that superior nations exert on other countries in the world. For instance, the conquest of the world by the European forces marked the beginning of imperialism.
In Felipe Fernàndez-Armesto’s book, The World: A Brief History p. 362, Japan is an example of a country that had enjoyed more than a century of stability before social rivalry between the warrior class and the imperial family. This turn of events saw the warrior class turn to violence as a means of making ends meet.
This scenario led to instability since all social classes who were yearning to accumulate wealth. Also, the conquest of the mercantilist system in America led to the destruction of the Indian civilization and their Christianization. The blacks were put under slavery to exterminate the Indians so that a large part of the continent could be under the control of the Europeans.
According to Armesto, modern colonization took effect mostly during the Industrial revolution where Asia and Africa’s colonization took center stage (The World: A Brief History 401). Powerful colonial masters were extending their influence in the name of market expansion. Bourgeoisie like Cecil Rhodes avoided social revolution by foreseeing colonial conquest.
By 1800, the inequality ratio rose to two to one due to massive polarization. Currently, the ratio has jumped to 60:1; this implies that a paltry 20% of the world population can access the beneficial system (The World: A History 220). The liberation movement that took place after the Second World War saw the start to an end of colonialism and the European expansion trend.
This expansion, between 1500 and 1950, marked the initial development of capitalism where there were two aspects of living styles among the world population. For example, in the 1960s, chief executive officers of American large non-financial institutions were earning an average of $190,000 which was over forty times the earnings of a factory worker. In 1980, the CEOs could take home over $2 million, 93 times the pay of an industrial worker.
The drivers of an industry are the factory workers, without which the industry cannot operate. Ironically, the inequality practiced gave them less recognition for their tireless efforts. Later, the social arrest came up, where the workers made the US environment extremely hostile as they were demanding equal treatment just like the bourgeoisie.
The bourgeoisie, on their part, felt that implementation of equality would make them lose their workers hence reduction in the profit margins (Lenin). The entire world’s population lives different lives thus prompting dissatisfaction among the low class in the society.
The economic difference that was pioneered by the powerful forces is a form of discrimination of liberty and other fundamental human rights like rights to own property. Attempts by the low class to institute social and political equality have been met by strong resistance among the upper class and the economically endowed continents.
These nations fear that should other nations become economically empowered, their control over such countries will fade away.
For instance, the numerous American companies that were set abroad between 1980 and 1990 could experience low customer base and even the decrease in the number of employees as they will own their firms. It is this dominance of the US industries overseas that makes it difficult for the US to accept the idea of economic globalization. Also, the massive cost of investment that the US incurred in furnishing these industries will not be regained with the economic globalization phenomenon.
The call for a correction in the livelihood of all individuals globally constitutes economic globalization. This aspect also ensures that production of goods and services are made to be the similar world over.
For instance, US citizens can start purchasing clothes made in China and vice versa and even obtain vehicles made in South Korea. This reveals the globalized nature of the economy where freedom of choice is not restricted, and all nations appreciate the technology and works of each other.
The European colonialists, especially the ruling class, believed that their expansion was aiding their capitalist economy. But, with the independence of America, the ruling class had to alter their traditional beliefs and notions of continuous conquest.
Currently, there is an emerging group of capitalists who aim at controlling the earth’s resources, expanding their economic spheres of influence in the name of searching for markets, and exploiting the natives’ workforce. According to Hepp, there is the formation of some ideological group, the Triad that is composed of the United States, Japan, and Western Europe (“Imperialism and Economic Globalization” 45).
They extend their influence to regions of their interest through actions of protecting human rights, democracy, and offering humanitarian support in the name of intervention (“Imperialism: European Expansion; The age of empires” 76).
Others argue that the US, for instance, uses NATO to drive their interest in the world. An example is in the Kosovo war. After NATOs victory in Yugoslavia in 1999, European nations that supported the US surrendered that is, they were controlled by the US.
The control of other nations also saw the US goes to war with Mexico, thereby leading to Mexican secession. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo spelled out how Mexico surrendered parts of its land to the United States. This land grabbing by the U.S. was significant as they had the opportunity to control slavery in the newly acquired states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and California.
On the other hand, the pro-slavery Americans wanted more slaves to come and work on their farms. The battle for control of states deepened leaving Mexico embarrassed and not happy with the U.S. citizens. The war not only led to the expansion of the U.S. territory but also hastened the upcoming of the Civil War. For example, Robert Lee and Ulysses Grant participated in both the Mexican War and the Civil War.
The American imperialist in the 19th century held that the boundary of America was fated to expand into the Northern American Continent and even exercise control over its neighbors. Manifest destiny, therefore, is a belief that encompassed religion, economic strengths, and culture (Lenin). The Americans viewed this idea as inevitable and believed that their content could languish if they do not expand tremendously.
Further, some thought that the expansion into uncivilized territories would enhance democracy and economic empowerment. Notably, when John L. O’Sullivan coined this term in 1845, at the same time, America realized an expansion of over 60%. Other Americans also wanted more land to become rich.
Therefore, this doctrine, of western expansion, also propelled the U.S. to conquer parts of Mexico at the end of the Mexican war and exercise control over their neighbors.
The former colonialist like Britain opposes globalization of the economy in the sense that the drastic growth of the US after Second World War made it possible for US products to flock London and the markets in the entire country. According to the article Historical Foundations of the Modern World p. 74, colonialists fear the competition that comes with economic globalization.
For instance, in Britain by 1990s, there were wondrous foreign goods that flocked their market. This stiff competition made it difficult for their products to experience low customers preference. Moreover, the internationalized economy makes business managers record low unexpected sales as they are vulnerable to market control and invasion from other industries and unknown developments from unexpected sectors.
On the other hand, citizens are provided with a variety of products which are of a high quality due to the competition. This type of economy also makes it possible for the movement of people all over the world to seek for good employment terms. The former colonialists argue that this free movement also increases networks of terrorism into the countries; a situation that destroys their economy.
Further, they argue that such free movements enhance the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS. On the religious front, the need to ensure that one’s religion conquered the whole world was underway. This brought in competition among loyalists of Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism (Lenin).
This scenario of ‘one world government’ makes the former colonialists feel controlled or to be under the supervision of other nations like the US. The colonialists felt that they should have the opportunity to exert their influence as they were doing during the colonization period.
The struggle for control of the global market by the former colonialists view the American widespread industries as pests rather than offering assistance to their locals. Therefore, America remains on focus among former colonialists to change its tact with them (Hepp 76).
For example, they can reduce the number of military bases in the world. The powerful American status in both the economic and political front, clearly, complicates the economic globalization for the former colonialists.
Works Cited
Armesto, Felipe Fernandez. The World: A Brief History. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2007. Print.
—. The World: A History. New Jersey: Pearson College Division, 2010. Print.
Hepp, John H.. “Imperialism and Economic Globalization.” Historical Foundations of the Modern World. New York: H. Holt and Co., 2012. 41 – 61. Print.
—. “Imperialism: European Expansion; The age of empires.” Historical Foundations of the Modern World. New York: H. Holt and Co., 2012. 73 – 79. Print.
Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich. Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism. Marxists Internet Archive. Progress Publishers, 2008. Web.