Neocolonialism and Race relations in Modern American Society Essay Example

influences of the former colonizer to the colonized, even after the grant of independence. It was observed that since, those formerly colonized cannot independently sustain their government and fund their own projects; debts have become a norm and solution to restructure a newly-born state. These debts have a direct impact in many of economic policies that the new state shall implement.

The economic structures that shall be imposed are usually patterned before the terms and conditions of these debts, which do not coincide with the new nation’s directions and future financial capabilities. It will later on leave a vacuum and shall be an unforeseen object, creating a stumbling block rather a stepping stone towards the full economic control, and implementation of national policies needed for progress (Ngwane, 3). However, while the United States does not impose actual debts to any less-developed countries, the financial aid that it issues had become a greater hold-over than its military interposition.Speaking of super-powers, the United States is not free from the criticisms of imperialism and dominance. The US has so many former colonies, or commonwealths  (defined by J. Miller as free association of sovereign, independent states…together with certain dependencies….

The control of US to various economies, such as the US dollar is used as the international money in almost around the globe speaks clearly of economic conquest. The rate of dollar over certain currencies is too weak that inflation rates are almost unpredictable. This situation creates a more difficult condition to these poor countries. Resort to foreign investments mainly US businesses will all the more, contribute to their diaspora, than provide solutions to the problem.

However, resistance to US subtle control has

gained certain followings. One example was Iraq’s military intervention and Afghanistan’s take-over. The strike to Iraq, which crippled the nation’s economic life, was justified, by saying that those military interventions are necessary to defeat insurgency and dictatorship in that oil-rich nation. Now, even with so much “black gold” under their soil, Iraq will need much of US aid, and other relief from the Allies, to combat poverty, crime, insurgency and struggles in their internal politics. These factors remain to be the key aspects of independence, and yet through these control, Iraq may have long way to the free Iraq they desire to have (Bennis, 2).The mechanism is not complex as it can be seen.

No direct administration of the formerly colonized is necessary, rather by debilitating its resources and leaving them under debts in the name of their own development; former colonized countries remain under the unseen control of their former masters. Thus, No liberation can be truthfully attained. Conspicuously, no political or military take over is seen, but dominance on economic, financial and policies are directly affected to hold the less powerful state under their directions. The relationship is not commensalisms but parasitism. Clear enough; the less developed country becomes a host than the parasite. To prove this, it must be noted that financial aid or debts are normally denied as mode of manipulation.

If a third-world country does not conform their policies to the terms and conditions of the loan, debt-restructuring or other possible future debts cannot be granted. In turn, the interests of foreign financial institutions became of paramount consideration in policy making of the indebted country than the situations that necessary to improve

their economic way of life. Instead of allowing their own industries to grow, the less-developed countries will resort, accepting foreign corporations to enter which will only utilize their manpower and resources but shall have no direct or little impact to their economy. The foreign investors might help in providing employment to these countries yet, the solutions are transient than permanent. These corporations upon their future withdrawal of investment will leave a hole in the economic continuum than creating stable sources of national income. For instance,  the Philippines was a colony of the United States for more than 50 years, yet until today, many acts of the US are supported by  one of its loyal allies in Asia—the Philippines (Buenaventura, 2).

( My professor say that the bottom paragraph that I  highlight in RED, should be right here. My professor also mention that, since it talking about economic at beginning and then to race, why turn back to talk about economic again. My professor says that need to work on the transition from economic to race) [editor’s note: there is no problem here, I have moved the paragraph to other parts, where it can be coherent, the paragraph you highlighted as red is original, the following does not also speaks of racism, see my further notes below] One concrete example of neo-colonialism in economic relations is by bringing and overpowering the former colonies or even the lesser development countries by the colonizers or by a more powerful country. Thus, the attainment of economic self-actualization becomes remote.

The internal commercial ramifications which will affect the financial vitality of the less-developed country are clear. For example, the raw materials in

the production of a specific product can be controlled by the stronger country through the use of financial investments. Again, these actions will not directly and permanently benefit the lesser-developed country. Correspondingly, the solutions faced by the poorer country shall be premised mistakenly: from the idea that such permission in allowing foreign investments will create employment, thus will affect purchases, and later will affect economic activities, the cycle of consumption is ill.

This sense may be true, but not in the case of a lesser-developed countries. Businesses must be encouraged by the government, internal concessions entered by their own citizens in their own land is more beneficial. Most likely, in economic movements, when these foreign investments improved and later withdrew their investments, the poorer country has no option but to be crippled. These income derived from foreign corporations does not contribution to the increase in their Gross National Product. As a consequence also, the withdrawal of these foreign investments will discourage local industries from improving because they will be defeated by these larger multi-national companies.

This is a fact in neo-colonialism structures. In the playing of field of national economics, internal national industries must be encouraged because, ultimately foreign investments only provide for shorter solutions to permanent problems. [ editor’s note : the entire paragraph regarding racism, and racial discrimination was moved at the bottom, joining together ALL the paragraphs discussing racism].Yet, no right-thinking nation will accept or admit US dependency or affirm US supremacy over their affairs. The acts were subtle and unconscious. Even if, contemplated, the admission of indirect control on certain issues and affairs shall never be accepted by any nation.

Thus, US relationship with

other countries had become more of a financier and protector. This benign assumption of US as the world’s police and as an international philanthropist is not really for the purpose of humanitarian considerations. The financial persuasion and military advantage these countries get from US have strings attached. The control over these countries may not be military subjugation but in terms of financial aid (I did change the words to financial aid, it does need any source anymore ) identify the word such as where it come from? Quote? Source?) The international and diplomatic relationship the US fosters among the nations was not as cordial as it may appear. The US is strengthening its network of forces to continually strengthen its economic and military supremacy, as the world’s last super-power.

This is a neo-colonialist implication.Although, the US has enjoyed much of the attention and support from its former colonies, in terms of racial relationships, white supremacy has not been eliminated. The Americans, who are white, people, have attained a status of power. Yet this not mainly because of color but of their economic and military power displayed all over the world. Another trend of racism affecting the US is racism against Asians, after the shootings in Virginia Tech was blamed on a Korean student.

But, the killings have also political implication other than psychological. The question is why Koreans or other Asians go to US for education? Are their countries lacking with universities that can accommodate them? The answer to this is not demographic or educational predicaments but still political. The dominance of US in many cultural endeavors has influenced the societies in Asia where the American culture

had been transmitted. The prestige of the United States had dominated their Asian counterparts and they have relied on US not only in aid, but even to their systems. This truth can be asserted as Neo-colonial persuasions of the US to South Korea.

It must be remembered that the Korean War was intervened by the US before the Vietnam war broke. Korea was largely aided by US military forces--this led to the political mindset of US Supremacy.Internally speaking, it is interesting to cite Puerto Rico: a Spanish-speaking country almost remote to the mainland US. Yet, because of the complex cultural and economic historical intricacies of Puerto Rico’s dependency, the latter’s stand is not actually gearing independence but future dependency.

Puerto Rico, for the record had been a colony of the United States for the last century, but has gained a commonwealth status, even nearing towards statehood. The referendum to this effect was rejected by majority of Puerto Ricans, themselves. The commonwealth of Northern Marianas will also typify a relationship. Later, if granted full independence, Northern Marianas may not be able to sustain its own freedom, where the US has not provided them with more stable conditions.

Instead, the situations of former commonwealths are but modern predicament of a former colony. After liberating, the strong military and economic linkages of the mother country, in this case the US, will evidently substantiate the very life of the former colonized country. All trades, policies will be geared and dependent to the same direction of the colonizer; no full control can be gained. But, the major control of the affairs, when it comes to national interests and economic programs will be “concentrated

again to the former colonizer” (Betts, 146). The independence now, becomes ceremonial than real.  ( need a source and identify  this paragraph and summarize it in your own words.

Lately, the stricter views on immigration policies have created tensions among the immigrants, and the interests US protects. Meaning, even inside the United States, the issue of racial discrimination is traced back to the idea that other ethnicities are citizens from former colonies or slaves that poorly reflect the American race. This racist view is seen negatively and much-criticisms.The continuous impositions of neo-colonialism in various economic conditions were apparent in the modern society in America. The relations and interventions manifest the leanings of US to dominate the trade politics and military leadership. In countries where capitalism is not the economic principle adhered to, other capitalist countries make it difficult for them to attain progress All third world countries desire the status first world countries attained, yet the subtle dominion and influences the richer countries enforce against the poorer ones become self-existent reality.