Examining how imperial powers continue to exploit the Global South through economic policies, military interventions, and cultural hegemony.

The nature of imperialism has evolved since Lenin's seminal analysis, but its fundamental character remains unchanged. Today's imperialism operates primarily through economic mechanisms rather than direct colonial control, making it more insidious and difficult to identify.

Neoliberalism as Modern Imperialism

The Washington Consensus and the structural adjustment programs imposed by institutions like the IMF and World Bank represent the modern face of imperialism. These policies force developing nations to open their markets to foreign capital, privatize public services, and reduce social spending—all to the benefit of multinational corporations based in imperial centers.

This economic domination is reinforced by a global financial architecture that maintains the hegemony of the dollar and ensures capital flows primarily benefit the imperial core. Debt becomes a mechanism of control, with nations forced to orient their economies toward export and resource extraction rather than meeting the needs of their populations.

Imperialism has not disappeared; it has merely changed form. The gunboats have been replaced by loan agreements, and colonial administrators by IMF consultants.

Military Interventions and Proxy Wars

When economic control is insufficient, imperial powers still resort to military force. The pattern is consistent: countries that challenge imperial interests or attempt to chart an independent economic course often face destabilization, coups, or direct military intervention.

These interventions are justified through appeals to "democracy," "human rights," or "counter-terrorism," but the selective application of these concerns reveals their instrumental nature. Nations aligned with imperial interests face no consequences for similar or worse violations.

Cultural Hegemony and Soft Power

Beyond economic and military domination, imperialism operates through cultural hegemony. Media conglomerates, educational institutions, and entertainment industries project imperial values and perspectives globally, marginalizing alternative worldviews and creating consent for imperial projects.

This cultural imperialism shapes how people in both the Global South and North understand the world, often preventing the development of genuine international solidarity among working people.

Anti-Imperialist Resistance

Despite these powerful mechanisms of control, resistance to imperialism continues. From Latin America to Africa and Asia, social movements and governments are challenging imperial domination and seeking to build alternative economic and political models.

True anti-imperialism must be internationalist, recognizing that the liberation of the Global South and the emancipation of working people in imperial centers are interconnected struggles against the same system of exploitation.