Imperialism

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Imperialism

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

im-PEER-ee-uh-liz-um  /ɪmˈpɪərɪəlɪz(ə)m/

Definition

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonisation, use of military force, or other means; the advocacy or practice of building and maintaining an empire; (in Marxist theory) the highest stage of capitalism, characterised by the export of capital and competition among monopoly capitalists.

Plain meaning

Imperialism is the practice or policy of extending a country's power over other countries — through military conquest, economic domination, political control, or cultural influence. The British, Roman, Mongol, and American empires are all described using the word imperialism. In Marxist theory, Lenin defined imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism, in which monopoly capitalism's need for new markets drives colonial expansion. In everyday use, imperialism can describe any attempt by a powerful country or organisation to dominate others.

Register

Politically charged. Imperialism is rarely a neutral descriptive term — its use implies critique. A government will rarely describe its own foreign policy as imperialist; the term is applied by critics. In academic history and postcolonial studies it is a technical term; in everyday political discourse it is generally critical.