Modern Day Imperialism And Its Affects On The Developing World

The word “Imperialism” is used to define a ideology or policy by an imperial nation of extending its rule over other people and cultures, for the sole reason of extending its own geo-political gain, economic growth, power and control, through employing military action or financial, political, cultural influence. Historically this word has been used to define the acts of empires such as the British empire or Spanish empire during the age of colonialization where European powers started annexing lands all over the world via military action. Come the 21st century most countries had given up direct control over their overseas territories and switched to a democratic system ending the long monarch control and hence by default giving up direct imperialist ambitions but the thirst for power never left and as the world grew more and more interconnected / reliant on global trade it was apparent that whoever held influence in maritime strategic regions and resource rich lands around the world would be the dominating power. Hence modern-day imperialism took its place. 

Modern imperialism isn't that different from that of imperialism as at its core it's a policy of a far off nation to increase its sphere of influence over another country or region for the aim of gaining its own geo strategic objectives, economic access, power and strangle hold via use of onerous power (Military action) or soft power (Financial, cultural and political influence). the most variations between this and previous imperialism is that of context wherever the foreign nation won't term its actions as annexation rather an endeavor to shield democracy or facilitate native people/countries. The nations concerned would spare no expense in making a plausible justification to thrust towards the world. irrespective of what the foreign power’s true objective is, either protecting/dictating its provide chain for oil, hydrocarbons, and alternative natural resources, creating buffer states, putting in a authorities in other nations, or inserting a district underneath their direct jurisdiction through use of military force, they'd attempt to justify their actions to achieve support from the international community. that's the modern game of chess nations play against one another, attempting to exert their own influence, and gaining the higher hand. some relevant examples of modern imperialism obligatory upon developing countries are the USA war on Iraq/Afghanistan, French hold in central African countries, Russian influence over Armenia, Chinese loan debt influence on Africa and so on.

French and central Africa

Despite gaining independence from France in early twentieth century several African nations stood beneath the sturdy grip of the French hold that was basically a complicated web of extortion, exploitation and modern colonialism. Once the French granted independence to fourteen Africa countries freedom under the French colonial rule it did thus under terms of cooperation and maintaining strong ties with Paris. The African states signed CFA treaty which granted them a stable currency and French monetary expertise. however this pact conjointly de jure duty-bound them to place 50% of their foreign currency reserves into the French treasury and 20% for financial liabilities. This meant that the African nations might solely retain management over 30% of their cash whereas the currency was written beneath super vision of French national bank. Even worse if those African states wished to achieve access to their own funds that they deposited they'd to borrow it under mounted industrial rates from France. This policy has continued up to gift day and has fixed French control over these African nations. What this implies is that the French economy gets boasted by the influx of African funds and also the African states cannot freely acquire their own money. Furthermore, the African states don't have the liberty to dictate their own currency that limits GDP growth and gets within the manner of (Raw material) Exports which is their solely real supply of income. Furthermore, to cement French influence France has deployed its legion military into Central Africa beneath the justification of combating terrorist act or insurgency. These forces also are there to grant France a tough power man if ever required and keep the African governments aligned. Overall, this can be an ideal example of modern colonialism.

US wars against Iraq/Afghanistan

In 2003 the United states along with its allies (UATO) launched an long awaited invasion of Iraq which resulted in the decisive defeat of Iraqi forces and collapse of Saddam Hussain regime. On paper this act was done for the purpose of saving the Iraqi people from authoritarian rule and protect democracy. But as a direct result, the region became unstable for years as various insurgency groups formed due to the power vacuum beginning the prolonged “Iraq war”. In response the United States kept a sizable military presence deployed within Iraq and installed a puppet government. By that point Iraq had to depend on US military and forcibly follow US policy bringing it under US control. US interests in the region were disposing of an hostile government, extension of US influence in the middle east and influence the flow of oil under US terms. Similar is the Afghanistan case where the United states invaded with the intention of removing a hostile government which went against US interests, securing a sphere of influence in South Asia next to Pakistan / former Soviet satellite states (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan etc) and gain access to the vast Afghan natural resource reserves. Thru did this by forcibly entering Afghanistan and removing the Taliban government under the justification of war on terror and revenge against Al Qaeda attacks. While these justifications may hold some truth, the actions of Washington also held different targets which were attempted to be achieved by installing a US friendly government. The US wanted to retain its influence within Afghanistan hence it massive build military bases and secured the transit of precious natural resources and exports from within Afghanistan under US super vision \(Even opium). 

Russian growing influence over Armenia

Ever since gaining autonomy from the USSR, the republic of Armenia had culturally strong ties with Russia. The long standing infrastructure and geopolitical cooperation between the two was kept on full gear and on the surface both nations seem as close allies. However, as always is the case there was a deeper Russian interest for upholding these relations which was create have a buffer between NATO influenced nations and Russian international border. We can see this as Russia continues to struggle to force Georgia out of joining NATO via use of insurgency and other means of pressure, forced annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and instilling the civil war within Ukraine. Its no different when it comes to Armenia which was proven by Russian reaction of inaction during the recent Azerbaijan and Armenian war over the control of Nagorno-Karabakh region. As a result of geopolitics in recent times the new Armenian government had begun siding with western block which set alarm bells in Moscow.  Russia started to exert diplomatic pressure forcing Armenian leadership to tilt back into Russian influence. This recent inaction by not helping Armenia which is an ally on paper proves how Russia used Armenian weakness and dependence on Russian military to display the consequences of getting closer to western block. Moreover, under the justification of securing peace Russia acting as mediator has deployed a sizable force of Russian troops in Armenia as “Peacekeepers” insuring Russian hard power and soft power.

Chinese entering into Africa

Just round fifty years ago with in the UN general assembly a vote was passed where it was decided whom will represent China within the United nations, the Peoples Republic of China or the republic of Taiwan as both claimed to be China. The voting passed with majority favoring the Peoples republic of China as it was the mainland but what is important is to see is that most nations who voted against China were African at the time due to their US alliance. This trend however has completely changed as most nations in Africa presently align themselves with China in any similar voting that concerns Chinese interests. This u turn change is an result of China expanding their influence far deeper within Africa via use of loans and softcover. The Chinese have pumped billions of dollars into the African continent in form of loans and mutual beneficial contract, which is them buying allies and power for the long run game. These loans are being used to finance and build many large much needed infrastructure projects such as Roads, Dams, Railroad lines, Motors ways, Domestic Factories, etc. China is doing all this knowing full well that those Africa nations are likely to default on their loan repayments as they can not pay back billions but it still gives out more credit. The reason that China hopes to gain even more political influence in those countries and gain access to the hard to come by resource reserves  legally and by the consent of host nations. China also hopes to use the large labor force in Africa to gain even more cheap labor as its own population has started shifting into the middle-income class. Hence by financing projects and investment into the African region China has started to gain much needed foreign influence in Africa that accurately reflects its own rise as the next proclaimed superpower, growing access to African cheap labor to stimulate its slowing down growth and legally procure unprocessed raw material resources. All this is being done by use of soft power tactics as China tries to keep its actions perception joint prosperity and Mutual progress. 

We can conclude that the game of checkers revolving around strategic interests, conflicts and resources is still dictated by military action albeit limited and diplomatic pressure in a similar manner as during the age of colonization and imperialism. The differences lie in methodology of actions and acquiring domestic international support the effects are increasingly varying depending upon the policy adopted. Whatever the case no matter how much we progress, the interests of nations will outweigh ethical rights and it seems that humanity still revolves around the chains of imperialism.