u.s. imperialism: origins and its modern instruments

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U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

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Page 1: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

Page 2: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

A. IMPERIALISM – OLD AND NEW

Old and New Imperialism have substantially the same goals The Economic, Political, Military, and Cultural

domination of subject peoples The capture and control of the sources of cheap

raw materials and sources of cheap labor

Page 3: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

A. IMPERIALISM – OLD AND NEW

The capture of new markets for their products and manufactured goods

The extension/expansion of its power and dominion over other nations by direct conquest and territorial acquisition in order to impose its authority or influence the captive nations (old imperialism)

Page 4: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

B. MODERN DAY IMPERIALISM

Modern-Day Imperialism modified and improved on the methods of old imperialism

The main engine is Global Capitalism and its working slogans are: “Globalization,” “”Privatization,” “Liberalization,” “Deregulation,” “”Free Trade,” etc. These will bring about “development” and “prosperity”, it claims. But through these methods, the sharks devour the minnows. The big eliminates the small. The rich becomes richer while the hundreds of millions of the peoples of the world remained poor and sorely wanting in the basic necessities of life.

Page 5: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

B. MODERN DAY IMPERIALISM

The use of more subtle and crafty methods of indirect control by the imperial power which operates insidiously, awaiting a chance to entrap its victims; employs deceptive ways of gaining an economic objective; very harmful to the people of the captive nation but very enticing to the native ruling elites for the opportunity to share in the loot; it not only increases their wealth but it also enhances their dominance and power over the masses.

Use of compliant native rulers (mercenary elites, corrupt oligarchs, military dictators, etc) and out-and-out puppet regimes

Page 6: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

B. MODERN DAY IMPERIALISM

From vassals and rulers of protectorates and client states, they are now called “friends” and “allies”; are “partners” in defending “democracy” and “freedom” in the world under the leadership of US imperialism

Page 7: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

C. AID AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DOMINATION AND CONTROL

Same principle as elite politics in the local (country) level. The ruling elites exploit the masses, take control of their lands, plunder the natural wealth and resources, become multi-millionaires and billionaires.

When the opportunity arises, such as during natural calamities and disasters or during election time, they come out from their luxurious surroundings, roll up their sleeves and transform themselves into compassionate do-gooders, “philanthropists”, bringing food and other aid to the masses they have exploited and impoverished for so long.

Page 8: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

C. AID AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DOMINATION AND CONTROL

When the opportunity arises, such as during natural calamities and disasters or during election time, they come out from their luxurious surroundings, roll up their sleeves and transform themselves into compassionate do-gooders, “philanthropists”, bringing food and other aid to the masses they have exploited and impoverished for so long.

Page 9: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

1. The imperialists use similar methods of deception and manipulation used by native ruling elites on their poor masses but this time, they apply it on a global scale: They feign compassion and pity for the starving

millions of Darfur, the Tsunami victims of Indonesia and South Asia, the typhoon and landslide victims of the Philippines, the cyclone victims of Myanmar etc

But they continue to defend and protect many of the corrupt rulers in the Third World, including their unjust structures and practices of exploitation which are mainly responsible for much of the suffering and poverty in the third world

Page 10: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

2. The nature and real aims of- USAID- ODA-CULTURAL AID, etc

Page 11: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

D. US MILITARY AID, LIKEWISE, IS USED AS AN INSTRUMENT OF DOMINATION AND CONTROL

The military, by its very nature, is a tool of the ruling elites to protect their interests and to safeguard their rule

“national interests” – whose interests are they, really? Who define “national” interests?

In an imperial setting, the interests of the global corporate elites --- the oil companies, the financial giants, the captains of industries, the trading moguls, etc. Who now have spread their tentacles all over the world --- represent much of what they call “national interests”

Page 12: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

E. THE REAL MISSION OF THE US MILITARY IS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE EMPIRE

Ruling elites in the US, including the Pentagon, define the mission of the military: To defend the US and protect US “national interests” abroad. (Read: the Empire’s interests)

Page 13: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

To accomplish this mission, the Pentagon has spread out its military forces in bases and installations outside the US and distributed them throughout the world, putting them under several Global Operating Commands: Northern Command (US NORTHCOM—North

America up to the Arctic Region) Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM– the whole

of South America, including Central America and the Caribbean)

Page 14: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

European Command (US EUROCOM – includes Eastern Europe)

Pacific Command (US PACOM – East Asia, S. Asia, SEA, Oceania)

Central Command (US CENCOM – Middle East, East Africa, Central Asia)

(New) African Command (USAFRICOM – rest of African continent)

Page 15: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

Other Commands with Global Areas of Responsibilities are:

The US Special Operations Command (the US Special Operations Forces, now operating in Southern Philippines, are under USSOC)

Transportation Command Strategic Command, and the Joint Forces Command

*the CIA and FBI, have likewise been tasked to expand their AOR (area of responsibility) around the world

Page 16: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

F. US MILITARY AID IS ALSO AN INSTRUMENT OF REPRESSION

Recipients of US Military aid in TW countries are usually unpopular regimes who fear their own people whom they have been exploiting and oppressing. Therefore, They are willing to support the global goals of

the US in exchange for badly needed military aid to fight their own people

The ruling elites can feel more secure with this military support from the US

Aside from improving the capacity of their own military and police, the also have the “protective arm” of the Imperialist patron

Page 17: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

WHAT COMPRISES THIS MILITARY AID

Foreign Military Financing (FMF – to finance the sale of weapons and equipment) US provides the money to pay for US military equipment

Peace-keeping operations (counter-insurgency, war vs. Terror, etc)

Military Assistance Program (MAP) International Military Training (IMET) see list

of schools Excess Defense Articles (military surplus,

given or loaned to recipient country)

Page 18: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

G. THE HEAVY TOLL ON PEOPLE’S LIVES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Modern Imperialism with its accompanying methods of maintaining and defending its system of rule to take a very heavy toll on the lives of the peoples of the world, particularly the poor and defenseless nations of the Third World

Likewise, US all-out support --- military, economic, political, etc – on ruling elites in their war against their own people, exact a very heavy toll

Page 19: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

G. THE HEAVY TOLL ON PEOPLE’S LIVES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

People’s movements that seek to free themselves both from foreign domination and from their corrupt leaders (e.g. Wars of national liberation in evil organizations, demonized as “subversives”, “terrorists”, and “threats to democracy and freedom.” Even civilian non combatants who support this aim are prepared for the kill in counter-insurgency operations under the guidance of US advisers and experts. This is one of the most callous and inhumane crimes of US imperialism!

Page 20: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

EXAMPLES OF THE TOLL ON PEOPLE’S LIVES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Elsewhere in the Third World In the Philippines The gross violations and wanton disregard for

human rights: assassinations, murders, kidnappings, extra-judicial killings, tortures, illegal detentions, gross violations of international law, constitutional and legal rights of people, etc. We cannot forget the images of tortures and barbaric treatment of mere SUSPECTS in US prisons in Abu Ghraib, Guntanamo, and scores of other military detentention centers in Iraq, the inhuman practice of rendition (sending suspects to torture chambers in allied countries to extract information during interrogation)

Page 21: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

All these are widely practiced by US Imperialism and its surrogates in many parts of the world

The U.S. shamelessly still proclaims itself to the world as a "champion of human rights”!

Page 22: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

H. THE SOCIAL COST OF EMPIRE BUILDING AND IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION

1. Nations decimated in a genocidal killing spree, in order to acquire their lands, rich in oil and other natural wealth (American Indians)

2. nations who lost their independence, national sovereignty, and cultural identity

3. nations who lost ownership and control over their lands and natural wealth

4. nations who have been reduced, as the late nationalist Claro M. Recto called them, to “hewers of wood and drawers of water” – servants in their own lands and overseas!

Page 23: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

OTHER EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL COSTS OF EMPIRES

In the Third World In the US and in

the West

Page 24: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

THESE COSTS CANNOT BE SUSTAINED INDEFINITELY!

The dilemma facing the US and its Western allies when the empire “strikes back”

When the victims and oppressed peoples of the world succeed in uniting with progressive forces and solidarity groups in the US and the West, the American Empire will suffer the same fate as that of the Roman, Ottoman, British and other empires that preceded it.

Page 25: U.S. IMPERIALISM: ORIGINS AND ITS MODERN INSTRUMENTS

US AND CHINA: COMPARISONS ON MILITARY STRENGTH

US China

2010 Military Expenditure $729 B $ 78 B

Active Military Personnel 1.6 M 2.3 M

Submarines 71 65

Aircraft Carriers 11 0

Nuclear Warheads 9,400 240

Foreign Military Bases 750 0

Source: BBC, Time Magazine, Tomdispatch.com