neoimperialist
Contemporary empire builder
Neoimperialist describes policies, attitudes, or actors that extend imperial-style dominance through modern means—economic pressure, military intervention, cultural influence—rather than formal colonization.
A neoimperialist power may control weaker nations through debt, trade agreements, or regime change while avoiding the old language of empire: Critics called the loan conditions neoimperialist.
The noun names someone who advocates or embodies such practices.
Dominant group's control
- superpowerDominant nation or magical ability
- spheres of influenceAreas of dominant authority
- client statesDependent countries under patronage
- puppet governmentRegime controlled externally
territorial control · strategic partnership · buffer zone · containment · encirclement · balance of power · unilateralism · realpolitik
Worldwide economic and cultural integration
- neoliberalismPro-market, anti-regulation ideology
- multinational corporationsBusinesses operating in multiple countries
- trade agreementsFormal accords on commerce
- market dominanceControl over a sector
privatization · deregulation · financialization · debt trap · free trade · austerity · IMF · World Bank
Purposeful involvement to change course
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- proxy warsWarfare through allied states
- military basesArmed forces installations
- drone strikesUnmanned aircraft weapon deployment
occupation · arms deals · covert operations · destabilization · sanctions · blockade · no-fly zone · coalition
Adopting Euro-American practices
- cultural hegemonyDominant group's normalized beliefs
- soft powerInfluence through appeal
- AmericanizationAdopting US cultural norms
- brain drainEmigration of skilled workers
Hollywood · assimilation · consumerism · NGOs · missionary · cultural appropriation · pop culture · advertising
Domination through foreign settlement
- neocolonialismIndirect foreign domination
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- subjugationForcing into submission
- Global SouthEconomically disadvantaged nations collectively
postcolonial · resistance · self-determination · decolonization · sovereignty · periphery · core-periphery · Said
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- superpowerDominant nation or magical ability
- spheres of influenceAreas of dominant authority
- client statesDependent countries under patronage
puppet government · territorial control · strategic partnership · buffer zone · containment · encirclement · balance of power · unilateralism · realpolitik · diplomatic pressure
globalization
Worldwide economic and cultural integration
- neoliberalismPro-market, anti-regulation ideology
- multinational corporationsBusinesses operating in multiple countries
- trade agreementsFormal accords on commerce
market dominance · privatization · deregulation · financialization · debt trap · free trade · austerity · IMF · World Bank · resource extraction
intervention
Purposeful involvement to change course
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- proxy warsWarfare through allied states
- military basesArmed forces installations
drone strikes · occupation · arms deals · covert operations · destabilization · sanctions · blockade · no-fly zone · coalition · peacekeeping
westernization
Adopting Euro-American practices
- cultural hegemonyDominant group's normalized beliefs
- soft powerInfluence through appeal
- AmericanizationAdopting US cultural norms
brain drain · Hollywood · assimilation · consumerism · NGOs · missionary · cultural appropriation · pop culture · advertising
colonialism
Domination through foreign settlement
- neocolonialismIndirect foreign domination
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- subjugationForcing into submission
Global South · postcolonial · resistance · self-determination · decolonization · sovereignty · periphery · core-periphery · Said · orientalism
neoimperialistisolationist
Advocate for national seclusion
neutralist · insular · inward-looking · protectionist · America First