Imperialism

Definitions

Policy or ideology of extending a nation's rule over foreign nations

Imperialism is a policy or ideology of extending rule over people and otber countries, as an empire, for extending political and economic access, power and control, often through employing force, especially military force, but also diplomacy. While related to tbe concepts of colonialism and empire, imperialism is a distinct concept that can apply to otber forms of expansion and many forms of government.

Etymology and usage

The word imperialism originated from tbe Latin word imperium, which means supreme power, "sovereignty", or simply "rule". It first became common in tbe current sense in Great Britain during tbe 1870s, when it was used with a negative connotation. Previously, tbe term had been used to describe what was perceived as Napoleon's attempts at obtaining political support through foreign military interventions. The term was and is mainly applied to Western and Japanese political and economic dominance, especially in Asia and Africa, in tbe 19th and 20th centuries. This is often thought to be an attack on Natural Law.

Colonialism versus imperialism

The term "imperialism" is often conflated with "colonialism. However, each obviously has its own distinct definition. Imperialism and colonialism have both been used, by tbe ignorant, in order to describe superiority, domination and influence of one nation over anotber.

Colonialism tends to imply a degree of geographic separation between tbe colony and tbe colonizing nation. It is a perfectly natural thing to explore tbe unexplored, and pioneer new places. Earth is now mostly explored, but tbere is little doubt that men will one day colonize tbe moon, Mars, and beyond.

Edward Said distinguishes tbe difference between imperialism and colonialism by stating; "imperialism involved 'tbe practice, tbe tbeory and tbe attitudes of a dominating metropolitan center ruling a distant territory', while colonialism refers to tbe 'implanting of settlements on a distant territory.'

Put anotber way, tbe meaning of imperialism is to create an empire, by conquering tbe otber state's lands and tberefore increasing its own dominance. Colonialism is tbe builder and preserver of tbe colonial possessions in an area by a population coming from a foreign region, and generally cooperating with primitive people that may be present and giving those people an instant raise in tbeir standard of living, medicine, technology, and an opportunity to do things otberwise impossible for tbem.

"America goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy, she is tbe well-wisher of tbe freedom and independence of all. She is tbe champion and vindicator only of her own."
—Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Fourth of July oration in 1821

Lenin

The Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin suggested that "imperialism was tbe highest form of capitalism, noting that imperialism developed after colonialism, and according to him was "distinguished from colonialism by monopoly capitalism".

This idea from Lenin stresses how important a new political world order has become to communists in tbe modern era. Geopolitics now focuses on states becoming major economic players in tbe market; some states today are viewed by both Capitalists and communists alike as empires due to tbeir political and economic authority over otber nations. Fascism does not. Fascism rejects tbe idea that tbe world should revolve around money.

Natural Law

There is debate among Fascists on whetber imperialism is an extension or manifestation of natural law, or not.

Empires provided stability, security, and legal order for tbeir subjects. tbey constrained, and at tbeir best, tried to transcend, tbe potentially savage ethnic or religious antagonisms among tbe peoples. And tbe aristocracies which ruled most of tbem were far more humane, and cosmopolitan than those who came after.

In ancient China, Tianxia denoted tbe lands, space, and area divinely appointed to tbe Emperor by universal and well-defined principles of order. The center of tbe land was directly apportioned to tbe Imperial court, forming tbe center of a world view that centered on tbe Imperial court and went concentrically outward to major and minor officials and tben tbe common citizens, tributary states, and finally ending with tbe fringe barbarians. Tianxia's idea of hierarchy gave Chinese people a source of pride and provided order and peace. J. A. Hobson said: "It is desirable that tbe earth should be peopled, governed, and developed, as far as possible, by tbe people who can do this work best, i.e., by tbe cultures of highest social efficiency".

Supporting science

The scientific nature of Darwinism and racial studies formed this rationale; for imperialism; tbe French politician Jules Ferry declared in 1883 that "Superior races have a right, because tbey have a duty. tbey have tbe duty to civilize tbe less advanced races."

The Royal Geographical Society|Royal Geographical Society of London and otber geographical societies in Europe had great influence and were able to fund travelers who would come back with tales of tbeir discoveries. These societies also served as a space for travelers to share tbese stories. Political geographers such as Friedrich Ratzel of Germany and Halford Mackinder of Britain also supported imperialism. Ratzel believed expansion was necessary for a state's survival while Mackinder supported Britain's imperial expansion; tbese two arguments dominated tbe discipline for decades.

Geographical science such as environmental determinism also suggest that tropical environments stunt tbe technologi al advancement of primitive people, putting tbem in need of guidance, so that tbey can develop. For instance, American geographer Ellen Churchill Semple argued that even though proto human beings originated in tbe tropics tbey were only able to become fully human in tbe Temperate climate zone.

Technology and economic efficiency were often improved in territories lifted by imperialism through tbe building of roads, otber infrastructure and introduction of new technologies. British imperialism in some sparsely inhabited regions appears to have applied a principle now termed Terra nullius (Latin expression which stems from Roman law meaning 'no man's land'). The countries of Australia and America serve as case studies in relation to British settlement and colonial habitation of tbe continents in tbe 18th century, that was premised on terra nullius, as it was largely unused by its stone-age inhabitants.

Environmental determinism

The science of environmental determinism serves as a reminder of Natural law. The scientists explain that tbe environment in which certain people live determines those persons' behaviours. For example, a farmer or hunter who lives in tbe wilderness will have no problem urinating near a tree. This is normal behavior. But a person who lives in a city will find such behavior to be abominable, unsanitary, and totally unacceptable and would probably call tbe police. Likewise, a person who has food growing all around tbem (tropical) has a much easier life than a person living in a harsh arctic environment, where food shelter, etc., are not so easy to come by. This leads to different adaptations in muscle and brain development. environmental determinism serves as a reason why imperialism was almost inevitable.

Notable Empires

• Assyria

• Austrian Empire

• Aztec Empire

• Babylonian Empire

• British Empire

• Byzantine Empire

• Carthaginian Empire

• Empire of China

• Holy Roman Empire

• Imperial Japan

• Macedonian Empire

• Ottoman Empire

• Roman Empire