Imperialism

Imperialism is a state policy, practice or advocacy for the extension of power and domination, especially through the direct acquisition of territories (by colonialism in particular) or by obtaining political and economic control of other regions. It always involves the use of power, whether military, economic or in a more subtle form. Stephanie Jeremie, La Forge

Types of Imperialism

Colonial imperialism	Colonialism is attributed to imperial powers. Imperial powers use the dispossession mechanism of colonialism to enrich themselves. Colonial invasion is therefore part of imperial expansion and both are part of the same global domination.
Informal imperialism	Characterized by the power of influence of one entity over another.
Economic imperialism	Concerns the use of one's advantageous economic situation in order to install a relationship of domination. It translates to: Economic sanctions, for example an embargo. Aid (or a loan) conditional on the implementation of measures favourable to the dominant, unfavourable to the inferior.

 Roger van Zwanenberg explains the components of modern imperialism  :

1. Capitalist accumulation or globalization
2. The dominance of finance
3. trade and investment
4. technology and science
5. military power
6. The ideological control

For examples of the consequences of imperialism, see our definitions page for anti-imperialism.

If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.

Back to Homepage