Neo-Imperialism in the 21st Century
The following paper will explore the concept of neo-imperialism – the idea that there are indirect influences on systems of governance for lesser developed countries. It will further investigate the validity of this concept.
If the meaning if neo-imperialism is to be explored, we must first examine the meaning of imperialism. The term imperialism was used to describe the process by which more powerful countries would exert control or influence over less powerful countries, primarily through the use of their militaries. Neo-imperialism is similar in meaning to imperialism in that it is a process by which more powerful countries exert control over or influence less powerful countries; however, instead of achieving this influence or control through primarily military means, control or influence is achieved by primarily economic means. One example of neo-imperialism at work would be in the Ukraine. In the election that was held there in November of 2004, Russia directly or indirectly spent $200 million in an attempt to control the outcome of the election. Russia also used its natural resources, which the Ukraine is dependant upon, to try to manipulate the outcome of the election. Despite the fact that Russian goals were not achieved, it is still a clear example of neo-imperialism at work.
The characteristics of neo-imperialism are centered on the supremacy of some nations, which generally are more economically viable over less viable countries, by means of unequal conditions of economic interaction. Generally a situation of neo-imperialism is prevalent when one state is dependant on another state due to the fact that the weaker state is unable to survive and flourish economically in the 21st century without the help or money of the stronger state. As I stated earlier, neo-imperialism varies from imperialism in that control or influence of one society over another is not centered on the imposition of the political will of...