World Powers and Imperialism
Final Analysis Essay:
World Powers and Imperialism
The purpose of this paper is to give you an opportunity to think further about how world powers (nation-states and/or corporations) influence other nations and people, to deepen your understanding of the notion of imperialism, and to explore resistance to imperialism. You will also cultivate your ability to focus on a purpose, to develop ideas thoroughly, and to analyze and synthesize appropriate sources.
Here are two complementary definitions of imperialism. The first is from our week 5 reading Imperialism 101 by Michael Parenti:
“By "imperialism" I mean the process whereby the dominant politico-economic interests of one nation expropriate for their own enrichment the land, labor, raw materials, and markets of another people.”
The second is from another World History textbook entitled Traditions and Encounters. Historians Jerry Bentley and Herb Ziegler write,
“ . . . imperialism refers to the domination of European powers—and later the United States and Japan as well—over subject lands in the larger world. Sometimes this domination came in the old fashioned way, by force of arms, but often it arose from trade, investment, and business activities that enabled imperial powers to profit from subject societies and influence their affairs without going to the trouble of exercising direct political control.”
In your paper address the following question:
How have imperialist practices of world powers impacted economies and/or polities around the globe?
Support your answers with stories, events, examples, etc. from the course material.
Draw on your reading and/or viewing of at least three sources from the course: The Origins of the Modern World, The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Imperialism 101. Be sure to cite the texts/documentaries you use, referencing page numbers as appropriate. No Works Cited page is necessary unless you use sources that are not provided in the course. Note: this assignment is intended as a review of the course material, not a research paper.
Focus on the world power(s), time period(s), and spheres of influence you choose (i.e., you don’t have to cover everything). Then be sure to state the purpose of your paper (an answer to the bolded question above) in the first paragraph of your paper.
The papers should be at least 1375 5 pages in length, double-spaced) and will be evaluated for purpose, use of evidence, and organization.
I have also included the website with the email and password to where you will find the books The Origins of the Modern World and The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man which are the books you will be using.
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Analysis Essay
The history of imperialism is a story of powerful nations exerting their influence over weaker nations, often to the detriment of those nations. Imperialist practices of world powers have had a profound impact on economies and polities around the globe, leaving a lasting legacy of exploitation and domination. This impact is evident in the history of European colonialism, the actions of the United States and other powerful nations in the twentieth century, and the ongoing struggles of developing nations to resist the influence of more powerful nations. This paper will explore how imperialist practices have impacted economies and polities around the globe.
The impact of imperialistic practices extends beyond physical harm and poses subtler economic fears to developing countries. These nations are apprehensive about their vulnerability to global corporations, as they have become increasingly reliant on them due to trade agreements and conditions imposed on them through debt agreements. There is a fear that they cannot survive without the corporations and that the corporations may move their production facilities to other countries. However, if these corporations were to set up production facilities within the developing countries, they fear that the corporations would contaminate the environment and force workers to accept unlivable wages. The developing countries fear that the corporations will eventually leave for other countries with even fewer environmental and social regulations, leaving behind a population that had abandoned their subsistence farms to work in the factories that are now vacated. This fear of abandonment leaves the people at risk of extreme poverty or starvation. The fear of corporations leaving and the impact on the workers' wages and living standards is an ongoing issue. It is a precarious situation for the developing nations who are indebted to these corporations and are forced to make decisions that prioritize economic growth over environmental sustainability and the well-being of their citizens. This fear is perpetuated by the reality that corporations often prioritize profit over social responsibility, and therefore, the need for strict environmental and social regulations is necessary to protect the citizens of these developing nations. Without regulations, corporations may act with impunity, causing economic and environmental devastation in these nations.
Another way that imperialist practices have impacted economies is through the development of Economic Hit Men (EHM) In the past, economically developing countries were considered corrupt and their government officials were assumed to thrive on bribes. However, in recent times, the situation has changed drastically. Today, activities that would have been considered immoral, unacceptable, and illegal in the United States are now considered standard practice. EHMs are now present everywhere, from the corridors of the White House to the US Congress, Wall Street, and the boardrooms of every major company. EHMs use a combination of threats, bribes, falsified reports, extortion, sex, and sometimes violence to achieve their goals. Corruption at the highest levels of business and government has become legitimized, with corporate EHMs drafting laws and financing politicians who pass them. This has led to an environment in which these corporations are able to exert their influence over developing nations, further perpetuating imperialistic practices that impact the economies and polities of these nations. The rise of corporate EHMs highlights the ongoing struggle between powerful nations and developing nations, where the former exerts its influence over the latter, often to the detriment of the latter's citizens.
The impact of imperialist practices is felt in how economic hit men and women use various tactics to gain favorable treatment from government officials, often leading to a race to the bottom in terms of environmental and social regulations and wages. These individuals have immense leverage due to their ability to locate production plants, banking, call centers, and headquarters in different countries. As a result, countries are compelled to offer the most lenient regulations and the lowest wage...