What's so bad about imperialism?

Question

The left is particularly boisterous about claiming that America is in a war for imperialism because of our role in Iraq, and then never giving solid evidence to back up this claim.

My questions are:

1. What’s so bad about imperialism?

2. What has america done that is imperialistic? (give examples of what we have done in the last 30 years. Don't cite "westward expansion", killing indians, blah blah blah, keep it within recent memory)

Answer 1

The worst anyone can come up with in the last 30 years is what you would call 'economic imperialism'. That's what all of your anti-globalization types are always ranting about. Personally, I believe any student of history has to admit that if we are an 'Imperialist power', we're the most just one in history.

1. We are the sole remaining Superpower, and have been for nearly 20 years now. At what point in time during the history of man has an unquestioned Superpower not set about conquering everything in sight? Rome, England, Spain, ect. We have shown remarkable restraint.

2. Economic Imperialism is the worst they can come up with? I can just see some poor Nicaraguan standing in front of a factory, "Oh no, the Americans are coming... and they're bringing JOBS!" Yeah, we're just awful people.

3. The idea that wars for our economic interests are a strictly American concept is totally inconsistent. Why did anyone care when Saddam invaded Kuwait? Because Kuwait is a major oil producer, and most of the world (lead by the UN I remind you) got involved. African nations invade each other all the time, and does the UN get involved? Every nation acts in it's own best economic interests, and that's just the way it is.

All in all, I'll take our record over most as far as Imperialistic tendencies go.

Answer 2

Imperialism generally meant that a technological power with industrial might, took control of a lesser developed area and society. In its pure form, with pure ideas, imperialism should have improved the 'conquered' country and its people's standard of living and health. History surely indicates that 'pure' imperialism didn't happen. The people and natural resources of the 'conquered' area were used for the best interests of the "imperial country" and not the locals.

After World War II, the USA had the opportunity to become "imperial" with a significant area of Europe - much lilke the Soviet Union did with the countries inside the "Iron Curtain". The only land retained and controlled by the USA after the war was the cemeteries that contained the final resting place of the American dead. Hardly the action of an imperialist nation.

Certain American politicians, now that they feel the political wind is moving in other directions, have decided that the arrival of American troops in Iraq is an "imperialist" occupation. Of course, the same politicians voted to allow the troops to go to Iraq. Politics at its worst.

No one ever discussed or offered a plan for the USA to take control of Iraq and its government after Saddam was removed. Instead, the people of Iraq were granted the opportunity to reach for democracy.

A government with "imperial" objectives would not have allowed the formation of an Iraqi government, Iraqi army, or even Iraqi elections.

Answer 3

Imperialism is bad in the sense that the mother country can bully the country they are in for their resources and production. It's not fair for an alien like country to come in and just push it around for what ever it desires. How ever Imperialism can be fair if there is some negotiation. Like if the mother country put money into their infrastructure in return for what ever it wanted. But that never happens. Always a power grab

Answer 4

All nations are imperialistic. It's just a matter of degree.
And it also depends on how you define imperialistic....

All nations have to defend their interests. But, America knows that her interests served when markets are free. The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, are by their very nature imperialistic in the sense that they serve our "empire" 's interest, regardless of their altruistic attempts to establish free economies and democratic republics. However, they are not imperialistic in the sense that we have no intention of establishing direct control over these regions. Democrats would argue that sense we're pursuing our interests with military operations, we're being imperialistic... Republicans will say that it's not imperialistic so long as the interests of those who live in the captured territories are served as well.

Get a subscription to Stratfor.com. It is such a good geopolitical website. It's very concise but dead on analysis of all the key players in the world today.... And these are PhD's blogging here... not the cook fringe....

Answer 5

In my own opinion, imperialism should be avoided as it imposes something upon others - I suppose I'm thinking primarily about the introduction of a particular political system or set of values by one state upon another.

To use perhaps the most recent example, it could be claimed that the US and its allies have implemented imperialism in the war in Iraq in attempting to introduce a liberal democratic state system in a country that is not native to such a system. I suppose most significantly, this argument could exist as the allies 'invaded' Iraq and left the state with no other choice but to adopt (to a degree) a similar democratic system as exists in Western societies.

Of course, this is simply one perspective.

Answer 6

Imperialism is a bad thing. America has never been an imperialist country. Liberals are trying to equate our attempt to spread the blessings of liberty with being imperialistic. They think it is arrogance to suggest that our form of government is superior to any other.

Ours is the most superior form of government as far as the average people in any country are concerned. It is the mortal enemy of socialism which the liberals are being influence by.

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Answer 7

1. Its bad because America is going into shambles since the President decided that Iraq was more important than giving out free healthcare to u.s. citizens.

2. Iraq

Answer 8

1. The concept is moraly reprhensible to say the least

2. I'll cite whatever the damn hell I want and quite frankly asserting dominance over area's of the wolrd we lack comprehensive understanding of is doomed to failure, Iraq is a great example too, ask the British how it worked out for them, They were there to colonize in the 1920's and it was a mess for them then as it is us now, or let's see how that whole African thing work out for the Brits, bad as history tells us, Oh I Know Kashmir, oh wait that's Fubar and a source of strife for the region, Imperialism has been shown to be a failure if you'd only read your history

Answer 9

Vietnam, Korea, Cambodja, Serbia, Afganistan, Iraq


those are just some countries you've illegally invaded recently

Clear enough for ya? Or do I have to point those places out on a map for you?

Answer 10

1. Imperialism leads to overextension and hubris, which leads to decay and collapse (Rome, Greece, England, France, Germany, Russia)

2. Invading Iraq as a result of PNAC's insane pipe dream of a "New American Century" based on the permanent occupation of Iraq.

Any more simple questions?