imperialism in our day

From: john grigg (starman125@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Mar 18 2000 - 16:53:49 MST


Daniel Ust wrote:
Very like "Manifest Destiny" during the expansionist, if not imperialist,
phase of American history. "Nationalism" can degenerate into a perverse form
of religious fanaticism. This makes it sound like that phase is over.
America appears to be very imperialist of late... I gather it depends on how
one defines imperialism. Surely, controlling other nations' internal
politics is one indicator. If so, then in the past ten years, America has
interfered in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, and Serbia. It's used military
intervention in all four cases mentioned. This is aside from the various and
often routine bombings of ther nations -- Iraq, the Sudan, Afghanistan.
Maybe there's some dividing line I'm missing here.
(end)

Robert Owen wrote:
Seriously, what territories have you acquired lately that were worth the
effort. Sure, it's good politics to conquer Western Europe, write your
version of "The Gallic Wars", cross the Rubicon and trip on a narcissistic
high at each "Hail Spudboy".What's coming are the Huns, the Vandals, the
Goths and the Visigoths, and worst of all, the knife twisted by your
bestfriend. Is this not an adequate metaphor for "The Wages of Imperialism"?
(end)

Robert, imperialism in the classic sense may be gone, but that is because
it's too expensive and make's for poor public relations! We now live in the
age of neo-colonialism. It is at least superficially a more acceptable
version of the old ways of doing things. Conquered territories are occupied
now by our corporate powers that bind and control (and for some mutual
benefit) our third world neighbors. We control them, and in turn their own
ruling elite bind the common people of their nation's to supply us with what
we want from them.

Our global corporate CEO's are the new conquering Ceasers who write their
version of the 'Gallic Wars' as business self-help manuals! And they are
too hailed as great defenders of their respective way of life.

And the 'barbarian hordes' of our day would be India and China who want
desperately the technological and economic type of power we possess. As the
ancient Romans did, we educate and employ them but they often return to
their own people to share our ways and secrets. Just as Rome was partially
bested because of 'Roman-trained enemies'
will we go the same way? Where does the knife-twisting come from in our
age? Our own government, ourselves?

I hope in time we can get beyond this thinking and nationalistic concern in
all camps concerned. What will the 'wages of neo-colonialism' ultimately
be?

sincerely,

John Grigg

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