Imperialism

[Noachian]

This may seem like a bit of a 'point of view' thing....however in Christian ethics mainly....is it right to have an Imperial government. If no then state its negatives....if yes tell me some possitives.

I like the sound of it from what I know...

[micatala]

Imperialism does not imply dictatorship.

But it always ends up that way

Imperialism is parasitism. It is a bigger, stronger society sucking all the aquirable assets from a weaker society.

Obviously the weaker, less developed populations never agree to this sort of economic pact. Therefore, dictatorship and compulsion always ensue.

Imperialism is the West European powers dividing up Africa, enslaving the natives, and sucking it dry. Imperialism is the English/Spanish explorers marching into North America, slaughtering the Native Americans, and gleaning every exploitable natural resource.

Is this the Imperialism that you are touting, Noachian, or is there another sort of "imperialism" that I should know about?

I would agree with TPP, imperialism is one society using another for its own benefit. To perhaps be more precise, it is a society in the form of a large organized state acting in this way.

To digress a bit, I have been reading a book entitled Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond. The theme of the book is to explain why Europeans took over North America, Australia, New Guinea, etc. and not the other way around. Why did Europeans have the guns, the steel, and germs that were deadly to the Native Americans and others and the Native AMerican germs proved rather feeble in comparison. They key factor is said to be agricultural food production. THose societies that developed agriculture also developed writing, organized governments eventually resulting in large states, and more advanced technology.

Part of the book discusses other migrations and displacements, for example, the displacement of Khoisan and pygmy people in Africa by Bantu people which occurred starting several thousand years ago, and the displacement of pre-historic south east asian cultures by 'Chinese cultures'. These displacements were not always done by 'organized states', but obviously having an organized state greatly facilitates taking over another society.

Diamond also mentions that states almost never grow through cooperative action between societies. It is always one state conquering, annihilating, displacing, or assimilating another.


Somehow, I don't see this as consistent with the teachings of Christ.

[Confused]

Imperialism does not imply dictatorship.

But it always ends up that way

Imperialism is parasitism. It is a bigger, stronger society sucking all the aquirable assets from a weaker society.

Obviously the weaker, less developed populations never agree to this sort of economic pact. Therefore, dictatorship and compulsion always ensue.

Imperialism is the West European powers dividing up Africa, enslaving the natives, and sucking it dry. Imperialism is the English/Spanish explorers marching into North America, slaughtering the Native Americans, and gleaning every exploitable natural resource.

Is this the Imperialism that you are touting, Noachian, or is there another sort of "imperialism" that I should know about?

I would agree with TPP, imperialism is one society using another for its own benefit. To perhaps be more precise, it is a society in the form of a large organized state acting in this way.

To digress a bit, I have been reading a book entitled Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond. The theme of the book is to explain why Europeans took over North America, Australia, New Guinea, etc. and not the other way around. Why did Europeans have the guns, the steel, and germs that were deadly to the Native Americans and others and the Native AMerican germs proved rather feeble in comparison. They key factor is said to be agricultural food production. THose societies that developed agriculture also developed writing, organized governments eventually resulting in large states, and more advanced technology.

Part of the book discusses other migrations and displacements, for example, the displacement of Khoisan and pygmy people in Africa by Bantu people which occurred starting several thousand years ago, and the displacement of pre-historic south east asian cultures by 'Chinese cultures'. These displacements were not always done by 'organized states', but obviously having an organized state greatly facilitates taking over another society.

Diamond also mentions that states almost never grow through cooperative action between societies. It is always one state conquering, annihilating, displacing, or assimilating another.


Somehow, I don't see this as consistent with the teachings of Christ.

An absolutely phenomenal and astounding book. Though very difficult to get through, being confused such as I, I had to read it through twice. But it offers some astounding insight.

[Noachian]

I was asking if Imperialism was wrong not saying it right......there are different ways of Imperialism....one may be benificial to a country...such as the African countries....they are very lowly developed, however the parts which remain in The British CommonWealth....seem to have richer ways of life and better resources......other Imperial forms such as ones you mentioned platypus; are wrong,,,such as the Spanish ways in the Americas....and when the British took the slaves....this has little to do with Imperialism....more to do with lack-of-knowloge of Human rights.....

[The Persnickety Platypus]

If you want to help another nation, you send food/doctors/resources. You typically do not march your military in an forcibly take control of the acting government- this is only necessary when you wish to make the country function to your OWN advantage.

Imperialism is never done with noble intentions.

[Ncik666]

The overall control of an imperialistic government is what causes the problems to occur. The person in control will almost always have a personal agenda. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and all that. If you were to find a monarch with a completely unself serving outlook, then I could potentialy see the imperialistic system working. Unfortunately that rarely, if ever happens.
Besides that Secularism is in my opinion the way to go. The separation gives a chance to have real leaders put in power.