Imperialism in the Economy of the US - Essay Example

Imperialism in the Economy One thing that must be understood in the contemporary setting is that things are being confined and subsumed under a certain standard of practice. For most of the people nowadays, globalization is no longer a new phenomenon. It has been happening for several years. In this case, I would like to draw a parallelism between globalization and imperialism as forms of control, domination, subversion and frustrations. All the provided conditions shall be deliberated in conjunction with the economic conditions and the socio – political atmosphere of the country to be deliberated upon. The United States of America, for a span of several years and still counting, has been on the command of the World’s economy, culture and politics. This is the simplest way to show how the U.S.A. aspires to exert its influences and permutations to different people of different culture across the globe. One thing that must be carefully taken into account is that there is a certain degree of irony when it comes to international politics and relations. Asia, in most cases, has been the common ground for propagating the imperialist agenda of control. For Perkins, he sees in his book the problematic conditions that surround the ideals about being an American especially when it comes to the notions of justice and equality (12). He pointed out the problematic conditions that have emerged especially about the betrayal of ideals during the engagement in wars like in Vietnam and the amassing of oil in other countries by enslaving the people of these nations (Perkins 13). This condition is highly detrimental since justice and equality is at stake. For Perkins, Kennedy’s sensibility of anticommunism has been well – established in Asia, especially during wars where the stakes are high (14). Indonesia became one of the crucial countries to support this agenda, through placing Suharto, a man who is strongly supported by the US Government and someone who shall aid in the fulfillment of the Anti – Communist Agenda (Perkins 14). One thing that has driven this is the need of the American country to get oil reserves to support its economy (Perkins 15). Analytically, the exchange of goods is relatively different. Oil might be traded by Indonesia while America will provide ideals of democracy and playing field of capitalism to reinforce control and domination in the economic system. In this condition, it cannot be denied that there is a political dynamism involved, especially in getting an agreement with a certain country. If one looks into this critically, one must understand that there is a certain degree of mutualism involved with the agreement between the American government and Indonesian political powers. To ensure that two countries will benefit, one must see that America will benefit from the oil reserves and anti – communist sensibilities that it implanted in Indonesia. On the other side, Indonesia will benefit with this since there is aid from the United States in terms of improving the conditions of their own economy since they are following the framework of economics that America has set. In this case, economic imperialism occurs since there is a political face of it. Based on the incidences cited, the anticommunist is a way to stop the influence of Russia as a superpower since the context of the problem deals with the cold war. The downside of this condition is that Indonesia can be used as a pawn for the war. No wonder where there are sightings of communist rebellion in the country that has been suppressed by the government of Indonesia due to its strong support for America and the promise of aid coming from such an agreement (Perkins 15). Another problem that is often overlooked and must be questioned is who really benefits from the agreement of development in the long run for Indonesia in this case? By the looks of it, there is a degree of ambiguity involved if the people of Indonesia are not too critical about the issue of economics involving their country and the United States of America. Perkins, who has been part of the team to devise the plans of possible industrialization of oil, or setting up an oil production system for Indonesia, would not mean benefit for Indonesia but only to a select few people of its country who yield vast political power over the nation (15). This is more crucial since the plan to devise is being backed up by an anti-communist sensibility. This appears to be face of the plan to divert the attention of the people from the real deal that will be going on between these countries. Now, one must carefully understand that the imperialist agenda, in this sense, is following an economic exploitation on the part of the country, like Indonesia, who must provide raw materials for the power to use. This agenda cannot be overstated or overlooked. In fact, the economic promises fall short since the imperial power cannot fully provide the real advantages that its system has to offer for the other countries that is subjugates. By the looks of it Suharto’s anti – communist sensibility backed up by the United States of America will ensure personal gain and advantages at the expense of people who will suffer the majority of the burden in sustaining the economic activity for the imperialist perpetrators. Another condition that must be understood is how the imperial power and the government of Indonesia have instituted policies to hound up possible communist perpetrators and agendas. This is more evident with the military personnel, regardless of voluntary or involuntary (Perkins 21). One thing that is clear with Perkins assertion is the response of one of the people he interviewed, especially when it comes to the perception about oil: “the most precious resource ever. Everything depends on it. Spices and gold were luxuries without much real value. Good to taste, use as a preservative, for jewelry and artifacts. But oil... oil is life itself. Nothing in the modern world works without it. This is the biggest resource in history. The stakes are huge. Should we be surprised that men are willing to risk everything to control it? Theyll cheat and steal. Build ships and missiles, and send thousands—hundreds of thousands—of young soldiers to die for oil” (Perkins 27). War becomes a necessary tool for the country that wields so much power, in this case, the United States of America, since its influence is vast and huge. There is a need to sustain the empire by exploiting the alliances that comes forth in building an empire, which Indonesia, through its rulers, became part of the master plan. This problem is further reinforced with how the different world financial institutions have laid out the money to ensure that everything will run smooth for the United States who is also a major stakeholder in these institutions like the World Bank and other affiliate financial institutions (Perkins 30). Nevertheless, one must understand that brutalities come along the way, especially with how America became an uncontested superpower for several years after the fall of the Soviet Union (Perkins 35). Politically, there is the bragging of progress and industrialization, however, the way the United States implemented its imperial master plan has created new class of elites in the Third World while leaving the majority of the population subjugated (Perkins 35). This is one of the harsh extremities that people who are subjected to imperialism have to face. There are things that will not be the same again, especially if these things are concerned with how a country must be controlled economically, politically, socially and culturally. These are conditions that are altered by the superpower. One thing that must be understood in the economic maladies that imperialism has posed is the burden on the part of the people to endure the sky rocketing prices of goods in exchange for the supposed economic miracles and advancements incurred by the partnership (Perkins 36). However, one cannot disregard the aspect that most of the benefits of the partnership will be channeled to the one who has set the standards of engagement: the United States of America. When it comes to benefits on the land that has been subjected to imperial domination, there is a certain degree of inequality and injustice. This happens on the level that the majority of the population of the country, in this case, Indonesia, has to suffer the burden of keeping up the economy while the ones who manage the country are engaging in corrupt behavior due to several policies that are extremely aggravating. Some of these conditions are low wages, high prices of goods, and corruption of the elite. The first two mentioned are stating the problems surrounding the nature of living that common people in Indonesia have to endure. These are not sufficient for survival since they are not assured of protection and security. Ironically, it is the government that actually introduced them to such conditions and constantly aggravating it further for compliance with the benefits the powers have to offer. Corruption of the elite is evoked by the imperial power for the elite’s sake of staying into power. This will inevitably allow the powers to render loyalty to the imperial power since everything is provided. In the long run, how does imperialism benefit everyone? There is a certain degree of disjuncture since people are not really accorded freedom and security. Rather, the people are further subjected to oppression and domination. These conditions hamper survival and people will be at risk. For Indonesia, it has to bear all the fruits that imperialism has to offer by enduring dire living conditions and economic instability. For America, since the domination is present, disadvantages are not really explicated. Most of the benefits are accorded to them. Nevertheless, imperialism does not really provide security and stability for the majority of the people since it is highly self centered. It cannot provide conditions of progress that everyone can enjoy. Those in power are the ones who will be able to reap the benefits that imperialism has to offer to the world. Works Cited Perkins, John. The Secret History of the American Empire. United States: Plume Press. 2008. Read More