Imperialism

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that various contemporary writers have interpreted the motives for imperialism, the political control by more powerful countries of weaker nations, in vastly different ways. The writer points out that supporters of imperialism, for example, consider it as a benign concept that is beneficial for the colonized people, but the Marxists condemn it as a naked form of capitalistic exploitation, believing that imperial expansion is driven solely by a search for new markets and investment opportunities overseas. The writer concludes that the writings of most pro-imperialism writers reveal an underlying theme that the benefits of imperialism outweigh the costs and that colonization was beneficial for the colonized people. The writer maintains that, in fact, the theory that the stronger and developed nations have an obligation to take over the responsibility of governing the weaker and poorer nations has definite racist overtones.

From the Paper:

"Other Western writers and leaders of the period on either side of the Atlantic have expressed similar sentiments in their writings. For example, John Sullivan, a 19th century American journalist, coined the phrase of Manifest Destiny in 1845, arguing that the United States had a divine mandate to expand its territory throughout North America and God had chosen the nation to spread the natural law of freedom and equality among nations that were deprived of such virtues. Jules Ferry, twice Prime Minister of France in the late 19th century, strongly supported French colonial expansion for economic, patriotic, and racial reasons. He argued that French colonial expansion was necessary since the existing markets for French goods were shrinking due to trade barriers and competition from the United States and Germany. As a result, it was imperative for France to colonize weaker nations in Africa and Asia in order to find captive markets for its goods and if it wished to remain a "great nation." At the same time, Ferry expressed the opinion that "superior" races have the right to colonize since they have a 'duty' to civilize inferior races."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Rudyard Kipling ("The White Man's Burden," 1899)
• John O'Sullivan ("Manifest Destiny," 1839)
• Jules Ferry ("French Colonial Expansion")
• John Hobson ("Imperialism," 1902)
• Joseph Conrad, ("The Heart of Darkness," 1902)

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