My aim here is to put in place a coherent evaluation of the similarities and the diffrenes, if any, between "imperialism as an ideology and globalization as a force through which the above aforementioned question is exhibited. Begining with (Marxist definition of imperiialism "as a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonialism, use of military force, or other means", this paper will first look at the diffrent imperatives of imperialism from a Marxist perspective starting from the 1920s and then it will extrapolate its ascension or metamorphosis thereby ascertaining whether globalization is an offshoot of imperialism.
Andrew, your research topic is interesting but would bring very little novelty to the field of political science - there are volumes of studies focused on globalization as a form of western imperialism (e.g., Michael Hardt & Antonio Negri / John Smith's Imperialism in the 21st century / Jan Pieterse, etc...). Also, the hegemony literature already dissects many of these themes (just think Wallerstein and associates).
It might be more interesting to assess how some other powers (i.e., non-western states) are employing the forces of globalization (greater economic, political, social, and cultural transactions) to try to enhance their power. This seems a more timely study, especially considering how America's current global retrenchment provides immense geopolitical opportunities. An example might be the topic recently analyzes in the NY Times and which certainly would merit greater development - see https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-worlds-new-colonial-power.html?_r=2https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-worlds-new-colonial-power.html?_r=2
These studies might provide greater outlets for innovative publications and funding.
Thank you Luis Da Vinha for your guidance though it was intended for Andrew Lebbie, I think it is apt. I would also recommend that there is the need to investigate strategies being employed by under-developed and disadvantaged countries to counter the negative effects of globalization and assert their own while transacting globalization to their advantage, cultural and economic,
Thank you both very much for the piece of information. Your academic guidnace and perpspective is significanly appreciated and I should expound on it further, in order to further my reseach on this very interesting topic. That said, the suggestion made by (Louis Da Vinha), has implored me to engage with the subject in a much broader perspective, by using the aforementioned as a guide-post of my research. Thank you once more.
Tahnk you very much Samuel. Your directive is well appreciated and in a sense, it is a confirmation of the first two responses to my question. Likewise, I am especially appreciative of your suggestion with regards to dropping the "ideological position". In retrospect, you have in a way summarised the concern raised by the two gentlemen. Thus, I should be looking a,t or focusing on, trying to emperically decode the question, instaed of the former, which is, its ideological aspect. Pleased accept my warmest gratitude.
The suggestions you received are sound, however, it is not so easy to refocus on the reproduction of the economic and politcal structures that extend imperialism through globalization. You first have to identify those mechanisms and then their application in other places. We watch in horror, for example, as Mexico implodes under the weight of their re-engineered national development model into a free trade corridor for the US under NAFTA, and the same for Central America which has replaced their liberal dependent states with Oligarchic -Cartel states; the former was carried out with out direct military intervention, but the latter followed civil wars or conflicts in four countries (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras).
Globalization and neo-liberalism go hand in hand, when you choose a developing country as a possible area of inquiry, look for the "reforms" used to open up the markets, sell-offs of state assets, and weakening of national financial controls; those are all pre-requisites to direct economic and military intervention, or the reverse process was used. They are the hall mark of neo-liberalism. Think Greece.
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