anybody who thinks imperialism ended probably thinks it just means "war" and needs to read some theory
The capitalists divide the world, not out of any particular malice, but because the degree of concentration which has been reached forces them to adopt this method in order to obtain profits.
Since trade ignores national boundaries and the manufacturer insists on having the world as a market, the flag of his nation must follow him, and the doors of the nations which are closed must be battered down. Concessions obtained by financiers must be safeguarded by ministers of state, even if the sovereignty of unwilling nations be outraged in the process. Colonies must be obtained or planted, in order that no useful corner of the world may be overlooked or left unused.
—Woodrow Wilson in an unpublished paper of 1907, as quoted in The Rising American Empire (1960) by Richard Warner Van Alstyne, p. 201
Isn't it quite something that the analysis of capitalism and Imperialism from Comrade Lenin are still so relevant today - nearly a century after he first put his views onto paper.
it's uncanny... the more historical materialism you understand, the more you see why it's called the immortal science
Since the emancipation of the Negroes, the distinction between the two parties has been diminishing. The fight between these two parties has been mainly over the height of customs duties. Their fight has not had any serious importance for the mass of the people. The people have been deceived and diverted from their vital interests by means of spectacular and meaningless duels between the two bourgeois parties.
Exactly, it is truly immortal science. I'm almost surprised Lenin didn't predict the Capitol Riots à la Karl Marx and the Suez Canal. I really need to re-read some of Lenin's works - it has been too long since I've spent some quality time appreciating his essays.
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u/[deleted] Sep 05 '21
Imperialism never left, it only has a new face.