Neocolonialism is the continuance or reimposition of imperialist rule by a state, it typically happens to a former colony by a former colonial master like the case of French in most West African states.
It's a common concept, especially among those affected like the African states. This article will further on the nature of neocolonialism, its probable causes, and its effects.
Neocolonialism goes from economic sabotage, cultural imposition, and globalization to political tethering. The main goal is to keep the resources and benefits flowing to the western masters by stripping them of any form of legitimacy. After the end of the colonization period due to many pressures, they couldn't just leave without forging a way to continue benefiting.
For example, IMF loans that come from the world bank, come tied with conditions that demand policy alteration like structural adjustment programs.
It's just a sophisticated approach to the barbaric direct military control or indirect political control used during the colonial period.
An example of Zimbabwe which, around the 1980s and 90s was put into an economic crisis and slower Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth after adopting Structural Adjustment Programs. Disproportional budget austerity under the programs severely hindered the country's human capital development and public welfare investments leading to mass unemployment and social unrest. This outcome is evident in more developing countries plundering them into more borrowing succumbing to the circle of borrowing and debt.
In 1961, regarding the economic mechanism of neocolonial control, in his speech, Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara said;
We, politely referred to as "underdeveloped", in truth, are colonial, semi-colonial, or dependent countries. We are countries whose economies have been distorted by imperialism, which has abnormally developed those branches of industry or agriculture needed to complement its complex economy.
"Underdevelopment", or distorted development, brings a dangerous specialization in raw materials, inherent in which is the threat of hunger for all our peoples. We, the "underdeveloped", are also those with a single crop, a single product, a single market.
A single product whose uncertain sale depends on a single market imposing and fixing conditions. That is the great formula for imperialist economic domination.
In this heartfelt message, he specifically pointed out the agender of the west in these developing countries. They only need what will benefit them and everything they do in these nations including the mare infrastructure, the so claim to develop these nations is meant for their good.
For example, the sponsorships of oil rigs or mining are meant for the natural resources found in these countries.
The concept of neo-colonialism is well explained by Nkuruma, he warns us of the prospect of the regressive impact of unregulated forms of aid, trade, and foreign direct investment on poverty reduction and well-being in African countries. It will be witnessed already with the unfolding over the years. As discussed above, the loans come with conditions, commodity prices for the single product literally every nation depends on respectively is constantly dropping.
How did neocolonialism come about?
Weakened Position of European Powers
The two first world wars exhausted the European economies imposing very heavy losses upon the European economies. Their weakened position made it difficult for them to maintain their big colonial empires.
The rise of strong national liberation movements in the colonies further made it complicated for them to maintain their traditional conglomerates. All these force them to falsify a way to continue reaping from these nations with the pretense of giving them their freedom.
It's a facade characterized by puppet leaders, domineering Non-Governmental Organizations, Multinational corporations, conditional lending, and instabilities. These provide the perfect environment for taking advantage.
The emergence of decolonization and anti-imperialism as the strongest movement of post-war international relations led to the drive towards the liquidation of the colonial empires and consequently to the rise of several new sovereign states in international relations.
United Nations charter on self-rule
The imperial powers found it difficult to justify the persistence of their rule over colonies because of the spread of political consciousness, and the acceptance of the right of self-determination by the Charter of the United Nations.
The rise and intensification of liberation movements across the continent demanded their freedom from the west. After having suffered the loss of their empires, the rich and powerful states were quick to adopt new means for sustaining a system of economic exploitation of their former colonies.
The demand for raw materials and market
The continued need for raw materials and markets for selling their goods compelled the former imperial powers to somehow maintain their economic domination of new sovereign states.
The most common device which they adopted for this purpose was to break up. The most effective strategy they employed was the subdivision of the continent into smaller states that could not develop on their own but depended on their former masters.
The Continued Dependence of the New States on Developed States
The dependence of the new states upon the former colonial states for selling raw materials as well as for purchasing industrial goods from them also brought into existence Neo-colonialism.
Their traditional economic dependence upon the colonial powers continued even after the attainment of independence. The upsurge of the new alternative lenders and markets from the east might be the breakthrough Africa needs.
Their increased needs, because of the new objective of promoting the welfare of all the people, further compelled them to accept the economic control of the former colonial powers.
Effects
-
The idea of colonialism was introduced to make Africa forever dependent on the colonial masters. They took all the wealth and resources of Africa to their states.
-
Constant interference in all sectors including in the monetary system through frequent devaluation. For example in 1987 the Uganda shilling was devalued in the famous “knocking off three zeroes.” Likewise, the Tanzania currency was also devalued using the dollar, in this way. This renders African nations at a loss with foreign investments and international markets.
-
Loss of sovereignty by African countries where decisions are made by imperial powers for example western countries donate aid with ties where the projects are dictated and supervised by the imperial powers and these projects may not be useful to the recipient countries.
-
The continued instabilities in Africa where frequent military coups have occurred to those governments who oppose the demands of the west. They put in place puppets who bow to every breath they take. A lot of African leaders have died allegedly at the hands of the west like Gadaffi of Egypt.
Takeaways
The era of neo-colonialism is coming to an end with the economic development of Africa. With the emergence of alternative lenders and markets compounded by other factors, it's about time we cut ties with the former colonial masters.
