Globalisation or Imperialism? Neoliberal Globalisation in the Age of Capitalist Imperialism by Alan J. Spector

Alan J. Spector, Purdue University, Calumet, Hammond, Indiana
Published in: International Review of Modern Sociology, 2007, Vol. 33, Special Issue (pp. 7-26)
Stable URL: JSTOR

Concept of "globalization" has been used to describe global social, economic, and political processes, perceived as a new development in world history.
While recent globalization is unprecedented in scale and breadth, underlying political-economic processes have been in place for over a century.
Unlike previous waves that focused on securing land or resources, current global economic expansion is driven by:
- Need for profit maintenance.
- Need for cheap labor, raw materials, and new markets abroad.
Political-military policies protect these interests globally.

Historical movements of capital, technology, and people were often linked to pre-capitalist colonial expansion.
Pre-nineteenth century movements were primarily driven by wealth accumulation via imperial conquests.
Significant movements and exchanges occurred even during the so-called "Dark Ages," challenging simplistic historical narratives.
War served as a catalyst for increased economic integration and movement of peoples.

Exploitative Globalization (Pre-19th Century)
- Driven by European economic classes exploiting Western Hemisphere wealth.
- Notably included the enslavement of Africans and imperial trade.
- Wealth creation, like the Spanish Empire's practices, bolstered the British Industrial Revolution.
- Highlighted the importance of global interconnections during this era.
Capitalist Globalization (19th to early 20th Century)
- Capitalism became the dominant system, shaping global interactions.
- Need for profit compelled expansion beyond national borders, resulting in significant immigrant flows and technological exchange.
- Globalization dynamics accompanied by cycles of economic boom and bust leading to wars and conflicts among nations.
- Post-WWI economic conditions triggered the need for new markets and labor post-WWII.
Neoliberal Globalization (Late 20th Century)
- Driven by mature capitalism; marked by an enhanced role of banks and monopolies.
- Neoliberalism represents a resurgence of classical liberalism focused on reducing state regulation for capitalist expansion.
- Reflects intensified competition and necessity for seeking profit abroad due to domestic market saturation.

Characterized by an extensive need for capital investment abroad and a competitive environment striving for profit maximization.
Critics argue that the profits from global ventures become essential for survival rather than merely additional.

Neoliberal globalization purportedly extends "freedom" for exchange but often results in exploitation and imbalance.
Conditions for loans from the World Bank and IMF undermine local economies by prioritizing foreign investment.
Evidence of detrimental impacts on local agricultural practices and industries, for example:
- Ethiopian shoe industry failing against Chinese imports.
- Ghana's textile industry threatened by corporate theft of designs.
Demands for economic reforms often mean selling public assets to benefit corporations, worsening poverty in many areas.
Increased privatization leads to loss of previously free services like water.
Widespread social impacts include rising poverty levels, reduced life expectancy, and mass migrations.

Larger corporations benefit while many workers face job losses and wage stagnation due to outsourcing and competition.
The globalization trend creates contradictions including:
- Worsening conditions for domestic workers amidst cheaper competition.
- Increasing automation leading to deindustrialization.
Mass immigration prompted by crises in economies creates tensions in host nations. Popular support among lower income classes for nationalistic responses further complicates dynamics.

Disparate grassroots movements are emerging in response to neoliberal practices.
Examples of such movements include:
- Local campaigns for higher wages, land rights, and political representation.
- Anti-globalization protests, including large demonstrations during the Iraq War.
Political movements around the globe may incorporate religious ideologies as a means of organizing, reflecting local discontent.
However, many of these movements risk co-optation by existing power structures, potentially missing opportunities for broader revolutionary change.

Predictions of a peaceful takeover by capitalist globalization are increasingly challenged by signs of resistance.
Calls for political reforms might exist side by side with anti-capitalist sentiments, indicating a complex future for global capitalism.

Current trends reveal that while neoliberal globalization appears dominant, the internal contradictions of the system, coupled with increasing desperation among the marginalized, suggest potential for significant social upheaval.
The potential for mass rebellion stemming from global crises and local inequalities could redefine the landscape of resistance against capitalist imperialism.