The history of Imperialism dates back to centuries when the metropoles directly controlled the colonies. Pre-World War world was majorly ruled by the British Empire. The Empire where the “Sun never set”. There is one significant change after World War II – the imperial control did not end but shifted from the British flag to American.
Around nine decades ago Vladimir Lenin wrote a book, “Imperialism: The highest stage of Capitalism.” At that time the British Imperialism was at its zenith. The British Empire had extended their reach so much that their domination can be imagined better than described. At that time one-fifth land surface of the globe and more than one-sixth of all human beings living on earth lived under one or other type of British Colonialism (Hobson 1902). Due to this domination the British political, cultural, social and linguistic legacy was widely received by the people around the globe. At the peak of the Empire it was said that “the Sun never sets on the British Empire.” It was because their largest empire ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous territories.
After the World War II the colonies started gaining independence and the British domination reduced and ended. However, this gave rise to America, another imperialist power, which was based on the similar global policies and ideologies.
Most of the western sociologists and theorists have been quick in declining the idea that America has been an imperialist state. During the last six decades America’s military intervention has completely changed the world politics. Its intervention changed the consequences of World War II. It has divided the world into various blocks, especially since the Cold War. In the past its intervention overthrew popular governments in various countries including Iran, Gautemala, Congo, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
And lately America and NATO’s military intervention ousted the rulers from power in a number of countries in the Middle East which include Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Neighbouring countries like Bahrain, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Lebanon, and Oman also witnessed uprising. The official ruler of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi was not only ousted out of power but also brutally killed in the following coup. Thousands of other people laid their life during the whole west-supported movement.
The west’s democratic system of governance is the oldest one which is considered the best model of governance. But forcefully bringing similar setup in the rest of the world, and legitimising their military intervention to overthrow the existing government and even assassin their ruler is irrational.
One agrees that there was disaffection among the native people, who supported the Arab Spring, about the economic decline, unemployment, poverty, corruption and even human rights violation. But that does not mean the west and NATO forces to fan the movement deploying thousands of troops.
Last year America also witnessed massive protest called “Occupy Wall Street”. Thousands of protesters, inspired by the Arab Revolution, wanted to achieve their goals in curbing corporate power and control in western government. The protesters held the government responsible for the financial inequality among the citizens. The protest gained momentum, got media coverage, and after a few days died down. Neither any developed or developing countries nor NATO forces dared to initiate humanitarian intervention to quell the protest. Had it happened in a developing country of the Third World, the consequences would not have been much different from that of Libya or Syria.
America may defend itself that its military intervention is to promote democracy around the globe. But its hidden agenda of forcing capitalist ideology of making the greatest neo-colonial empire is not hidden. Its intervention in the functioning of smaller developing countries is purely to control their natural resources. Its interest in the Middle East is motivated by the desire to control its oil.
The United States has made itself a dominating global empire in the last six decades. Since 1940s, if not earlier, it has been engaged in a struggle to maintain and even expand its position as the world’s foremost military, economic, and political power. Today it accounts for about a third of all world military expenditure. It is the world’s leading international arms seller. And it has rained death and destruction on more people in more regions of the globe than any other nation in the period since the World War II.
When the Vietnam War had finally ended in 1975, the United States suffered a major defeat. The most serious defeat experienced by the US imperialism was in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 that overthrew the Shah of Iran, who had been a lynchpin of the US military dominance over the Persian Gulf and its oil.
Some people argued that the age of imperialism was over and it was the last imperialist war. Yet, today, imperialism is more openly embraced by the US power structure than anyone at any time in the history.
The immediate task is to deepen this critical understanding in ways that will help equip humanity for the major anti-imperialist struggles that lie ahead. The time has come the countries of the world come together and demonstrate the necessity of resistance and solidarity on a global scale.