1. World problems
  2. Neo-colonialism

Neo-colonialism

  • Post-independence dependence

Nature

Neo-colonialism designates the dominant characteristics of the relation of dependence of the less-developed countries on the more developed world, following their national independence. Post-independence dependence results in drain of income and manpower, in a lack of economic and social integration, in the persistence of a dual and distorted socio-economic structure, and in a spontaneous reproduction of under-development, allowing the less-developed countries only a lop-sided development process.

Dependence takes various forms: (a) National security dependence: most of the less-developed countries are dependent for their military hardware on one great power or a combination of great powers. Without supplies of arms and spare parts, their national security could be in jeopardy; thus, they tend to become the client of one or other of the great power blocs. As a consequence, their sphere of autonomous action is severely limited. (b) Direct economic dependence: this is the control of a sizeable or critical sector of the economy by dominant foreign monopoly capital. Direct economic dependence is a legacy of the colonial days that is being gradually modified into indirect forms. (c) Trade dependence: a sizeable portion of trade and consequently foreign exchange earnings are tied to the economy of the dollar qqea, sterling area, franc area, rouble area, etc. (d) Financial dependence: this type of dependence is exerted primarily through banks and is therefore strongest in those countries where the banking system and, through it, the internal money circulation and the credit system, are under foreign control. Tied loans and grants, and various forms of foreign exchange control, constitute other kinds of financial dependence. (e) Technical dependence: this consists of a whole variety of intellectual forms of dependence, some direct and others indirect. The direct forms consist of the acceptance of imported technology and foreign technical advisers. The indirect forms are even more pervasive - the adoption of a particular foreign educational system with its biases, the influence of foreign-educated natives with their intellectual and emotional ties, etc. (f) Cultural dependence: the most pervasive and enduring kind of dependence lies basically in the increasing dominance in the modern world of a Western secular and scientific culture. In its more pedestrian forms, this kind of dependence consists of a whole variety of cultural imports (films, television programmes, books, periodicals, records, clothing styles, forms of consumption).

Background

Neo-colonialism emerged as a recognized global issue in the post-World War II era, when newly independent states observed persistent economic and political influence from former colonial powers. The Bandung Conference of 1955 and subsequent writings, notably Kwame Nkrumah’s 1965 book "Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism," catalyzed international awareness. Over time, scholars and policymakers increasingly identified subtle mechanisms—such as unequal trade, foreign aid, and multinational corporations—through which external dominance continued to shape developing nations.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Incidence

Neo-colonialism continues to shape global economic and political relations, with powerful nations and multinational corporations exerting indirect control over the resources, policies, and markets of less developed countries. This influence is evident in persistent trade imbalances, exploitative investment practices, and the imposition of external development agendas, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The phenomenon undermines local autonomy and perpetuates dependency, affecting millions of people and hindering sustainable development.
In 2022, France faced criticism for its continued economic influence in West Africa, particularly through the CFA franc currency system, which many local leaders and activists argued perpetuated neo-colonial dependency and limited regional economic sovereignty.
This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Claim

The colonial age has ended. But the wish to dominate persists. Neo-colonialism comes wrapped in all types of packages -in technology and communications, commerce and culture.

Counter-claim

If neo-colonialism exists, it is the inevitable product of an inherent imbalance between the advanced and the developing economies, irrespective of the political factors involved. This one-sided relationship will disappear only when the new states reach the position already achieved by Japan and become as powerful economically as the ex-colonial powers on whom they at present depend.

Broader

Colonialism
Excellent

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Related

Strategy

Colonizing
Yet to rate

Value

Independence
Yet to rate
Dependence
Yet to rate
Colonization
Yet to rate

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Content quality
Presentable
 Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
C1876
DOCID
11318760
D7NID
142294
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020