Imperialism and Colonization Essay Example for Free

Imperialism and Colonization EssayColonization and imperialism ar inherently associated with an frugal set that is meant to boost the sparing of the colonizing power (herein referred to as bene accompanimentor state) by providing target market for manufactured goods and source of raw materials. During the 20th century most colonies gained independence or autonomy resulting in a disruption of the frugal model associated with colonization and imperialism. A current trend is globalization which necessitates a complete reversal of the scotch character of states.The role has changed from serving as a market for the benefactor state to manufacturing products using inexpensive projection that are thence sold back to the benefactor state. Many states (particularly in Africa) resettlement over not been qualified to adjust to this change and extradite, thus, been caught between colonization and globalization without strong scotch hook up withs to other(a) nations. To mini mize departure in spite of appearance a state and between states, the respective nations must have ties that are strong oerflowing to transcend national boundaries.This is patent when examining global trends such as colonization and globalization which tend to counseling nations that would normally be at odds on a common goal. In the case of colonization, natives of work territories are inclined to unite against the occupying power. A current trend towards globalization has forced nations to unite because of an increase economic dependence between states. The claim (albeit untrue) that at that place has never been a war between cardinal countries having McDonalds underscores the importance of economic ties that throne transcend national boundaries.A History of Imperialism and Colonization During the height of colonialism, Britain controlled over a quarter of the land and one third of the community. Combined, Britain and eight other European countries controlled virtually 84% of the earths surface. (Conklin 1) What factors allowed Europeans to exert such a strong influence on other part of the adult male? More importantly, what were the motivations for subjugating the end of the orb that have made such a profound concern even in the modern world? J. A. Hobson describes the driving force behind olonization as the investor who cannot find at home the profitable use he bewitchks for his capital, and insists that his Government should help him to profitable and secure enthronisations abroad. (Hobson 15) On the mulish side of colonization, armies are needed and colonization cant occur until an industrial revolution begins. industrial enterprise requires cheap labor, a navy, a target market to buy surplus products and raw materials. Without a colossal fair to middling target audience for interchangeing goods, the industrial revolution would have been stymied and Britains economy and persistence could not have advanced as rapidly.Essentially, raw materials are shipped out of colonies to the colonizing country, manufactured into a stainless product using cheap labor and then sold back to the colonies at profit. (Kollenbroich) Undoubtedly, there are other factors that motivated European powers to colonize Christianity, national pride and complaisantizing those perceived as savages to name some. However, there is no denying that most colonies became economically dependent on the colonizing country. This implies that economic reasons, regardless of other motivating factors for colonization, were a driving force in colonization.In fact, the factors such as Christianity, national pride and the mission to domesticate would often go hand in hand with the economic motivation and serve to conceal the economic reasons from the general public. (Kollenbroich) M. K. Ghandi agrees with that statement, England is a nation of shopkeepers, (attributed to Napoleon) and goes on to describe how the British, hold whatever dominions they ha ve for the sake of their commerce. (Ghandi 25) proceed on the alike note, Ghandi explains that the British view the world as a vast market for their goods. fit in to Ghandi, the British didnt conquer India per se rather the acceptance of British commerce, lifestyle and law allowed the British to govern India. For this very reason, Ghandi promotes a lifestyle lacking in machinery. What did India do before these articles were introduced? Precisely the same should be done today. (Ghandi 28-29) In Ghandis opinion, removing economic ties to Britain and rest of Europe, India would eventually attain sovereignty. Clearly, the economy plays a vital role in colonization and is a strong motivation by providing raw materials and markets to sell finished goods.The question that begs to be asked is How were Europeans able to convince or force other parts of the world to accept colonization? The answer has everything to do with image. If natives didnt believe that the Europeans were A-one, re volts would have been some(prenominal) more(prenominal) than widespread. In turn, European militaries would have been spread too thin and outnumbered. The key to preventing this lies in creating the illusion for natives that the Europeans are superior in every way and resistance is futile. The style of rule is as important as the fact the Europeans are in control of the colony.Typically the French would use a divide and conquer strategy. They would claim in French administrators and subject the natives to French culture. This was effective because the French often grouped tribes or groups of natives that didnt get along. Instead of fighting the French, the natives would fight amongst themselves. On the other hand, the British would preserve parts of the local anesthetic system and choose natives leaders. This was effective for the British because it gave the natives the illusion of a certain level of autonomy eon the British remained in control. Kollenbroich) The socio-economic model in most colonies was noticeably lacking a middle class. On one hand there are the natives who are often dirt poor by European standards and on the other hand there are the business and elite classes that are continually sucking profit out of the colonies. This is somewhat true of even Europe because of industrialization which left a epic lower class working in the factories for minimal wages. The Trend of Globalization The push towards a more global economy has several important consequences.Many states that were once colonizing powers have seen their role shift to that of economic powerhouses with global cities that serve as command and control centers for the economy. (Sassen, 4) In the wake of globalization, an increasing number of firms have centralized their business presence in the downtown areas of global cities and placed numerous factories in abroad states to take advantage of lower labor prices. The placement or acquisition of factories in other states is know as contradictory direct investment (FDI).The five major exporters of capital (United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France and Ger more) account for 70 percent of FDI (Sassen 11). According to Sassen, the growth in FDI has been embedded in the internationalization of production of goods and services. (Sassen 10) This is readily patent when considering the number of factories being built in Latin American and Southeast Asian. The semiconductor explosion conjugate with other industries choosing to locate in Asia has led to an emergence of Southeast Asia as a crucial transnational space for production. (Sassen 11) Prominent American companies have increasingly moved the manufacturing of products offshore to take advantage of more lax labor laws and significantly lower wages. The transition from colonization to globalization has seen the role of foreign countries move from buying products to creating products cheaply. The economics of intervention has played a more dominant role in for eign policy and will continue to do so in the future. For decades the United States and Soviet Union struggled to see capitalism and communism spread, respectively.The struggle played out both economically and militarily in many countries throughout the world and is important because more often than not decolonized countries would be in need of economic and sometimes military intervention. More recently, the United States and other countries have faced decisions about whether to intervene in situations such as Somalia and other African states. Interventions such as these are often viewed by the much of the public as too little too late and this can be attributed, at to the lowest degree in part, to a lack of economic interest in the conflict.In fact, intervention costs millions and sometimes billions of dollars which, in many politicians eyes, is not justified. To make matters worse, politicians are very careful about labeling conflicts as massacres or genocide because as soon as a conflict is labeled as such, it ethically requires intervention. What happens then to a state caught between colonization and globalization that has little or no economical tie to the global economy? If the conflict receives enough attention on the world stage and there is enough bloodshed, then there is a good fall out that a peacekeeping force will intervene.However, the chance of intervention in a conflict with little or no bloodshed is much slimmer and whitethorn never materialize. Case Study Zimbabwe According to the International Crisis Group, Zimbabwes economy is hemorrhaging. (Zimbabwe 5) Zimbabwes economy has shrunk approximately 25 percent since 1998, inflation is more than 228% percent (Zimbabwe CIA) and unemployment is higher than 60 percent. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has rock-bottom from 436 million USD in 1998 to 4. 5 million USD. The FDI alone is indicative of an ever increasing perturbation between todays global economy and the economy of Zimbabwe.Any econ omic ties that Zimbabwe has with the rest of the world are slowly wasting away with a decrease in gold production and decreased foreign aid. In fact, reducing hours and production volume is now the norm and has led to a scarceness of basic commodities within the country. To make a poor situation even worse, the government of Zimbabwe has been directing spring up seizures that have led to 95 percent of large scale farmers either stopping operations or being severely disrupted. The food production has declined by 40 percent and prompted a United Nations (UN) narration that warns of the potential of famine.If predictions hold true, Zimbabwes harvests will not be enough to feed the entire population Zimbabwe will be forced to import food. The government has gone as far as deploying legions and police units to deal with riots, should they break out. (Zimbabwe) The ruling ZANU-PF party has been systematically eliminating opposition from the Movement for Democratic exchange (MDC). The ZANU-PF has been accused of distributing food to party members rather than equally which means that even children of MDC supporters have food withheld.ZANU-PF supporters, civil servants and traditional leaders are blocking MDC supporters from acquiring maize It is clear that some schemes have been judicial for months without the donor being aware. (Zimbabwe 7) Thus far, the rest of the world has been passive about the happenings in Zimbabwe. In part, this can be attributed to the need to intervene if a country or countries declare a humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. As noted earlier the FDI has dramatically declined resulting in essentially no economic ties between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.More than likely, aid or intervention will not take place without a crisis that places Zimbabwe in the center of the world stage. Zimbabwe is just one former colony of many (in Africa and other parts of the world) that gained independence and left behind the imperialistic economy. Unfo rtunately, Zimbabwe has stepped out of one economic model and failed to step into the global economy. This is evident in the dramatically decreased FDI and production as well as the lack of intervention from other states. Focus on Former African Colonies World War II left the European powers (with the exclusion of Portugal) scrambling to leave Africa.As alluded to earlier, colonizing is an expensive business that takes enormous resources and ultimately is profitable for a relatively nonaged number people. Most European colonies in Africa were never as profitable as had been hoped for couldnt be justified like India and some other colonies. The bad name given to imperialism by Hitler helped accelerate the surgical process in Africa as well as other parts of the world. Due to a lack of economic motivation capable of transcending national boundaries, many former colonies have descended into civil wars and other disputes between nations within the state.As demonstrated with Zimbabwe, this conflict is not necessarily militarily (although this is often the case) carried out and may be something as appalling as withholding food or other basic commodities from a flock of the population. Countless other African states such as Somali, Uganda, Liberia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Congo have had or continue to have conflicts between nations. Many countries in Africa are lacking a solid economy that isnt dominated by a single sector such as agriculture.