And I say this as an European and somebody who would stand to gain indirectly from Europe going systematically (it’s already done by businesses and some governments in it, just not openly and systematically) into the business of exploiting non-Europeans.
One great myth of imperial power plays is that the exploitation benefits the imperial power. It often doesn’t. The scramble for Africa, for example, was a net economic drain for all the great powers that participated. Every little thing they gained was generally lost as they spent immense amounts of money on being manipulated into useless conflicts by client chiefs. Similar dynamic for England in India during the later periods and associated areas (the British conquest of Myanmar was particularly useless). The only real benefit is economic dominance and the ability to trade (like that was seen in Singapore and Canton). For all it’s imperialism and interventionism from the Philippines to Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan to Iraq, America hasn’t seen a gain. Most of the moves by the great powers only benefits a select few of private citizens while the state spends lives and treasure on conquest and subsequent administration for an illegitimate government that becomes corrupt and fragile.
If course, I’m sure it has little to do with readily available coal veins and early centralization that allowed for rapid industrialization that then powered the colonial boondoggle in the first place that primarily enriched private interests. That’s why the empire still exists right? It couldn’t be a prime example of imperial overreach.
I think you’re mistaking my intention. I’m saying that imperialism is ultimately self defeating and has been throughout history. It’s a fundamentally doomed path.
One great myth of imperial power plays is that the exploitation benefits the imperial power. It often doesn’t. The scramble for Africa, for example, was a net economic drain for all the great powers that participated. Every little thing they gained was generally lost as they spent immense amounts of money on being manipulated into useless conflicts by client chiefs. Similar dynamic for England in India during the later periods and associated areas (the British conquest of Myanmar was particularly useless). The only real benefit is economic dominance and the ability to trade (like that was seen in Singapore and Canton). For all it’s imperialism and interventionism from the Philippines to Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan to Iraq, America hasn’t seen a gain. Most of the moves by the great powers only benefits a select few of private citizens while the state spends lives and treasure on conquest and subsequent administration for an illegitimate government that becomes corrupt and fragile.
Are you fucking kidding me? Britain stands where it is only because of wealth it looted from its colonies.
If course, I’m sure it has little to do with readily available coal veins and early centralization that allowed for rapid industrialization that then powered the colonial boondoggle in the first place that primarily enriched private interests. That’s why the empire still exists right? It couldn’t be a prime example of imperial overreach.
For folks that don’t know. This is what colonial power propaganda looks.
I think you’re mistaking my intention. I’m saying that imperialism is ultimately self defeating and has been throughout history. It’s a fundamentally doomed path.