im·pe·ri·al·ism
1: imperial government, authority, or system
2: the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas;
broadly: the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence
Imperialism -- it's not just for Sock-Puppet Govt Leaders anymore ...
Imperialism 101
by Michael Parenti
Imperialism has been the most powerful force in world history over the last four or five centuries, carving up whole continents while oppressing indigenous peoples and obliterating entire civilizations. Yet, it is seldom accorded any serious attention by our academics, media commentators, and political leaders.
When not ignored outright, the subject of imperialism has been sanitized, so that empires become “commonwealths,” and colonies become “territories” or “dominions” [...]. Imperialist military interventions become matters of “national defense,” “national security,” and maintaining “stability” in one or another region.
[...]
Imperialism is older than capitalism. The Persian, Macedonian, Roman, and Mongol empires all existed centuries before the Rothschilds and Rockefellers. Emperors and conquistadors were interested mostly in plunder and tribute, gold and glory. Capitalist imperialism differs from these earlier forms in the way it systematically accumulates capital through the organized exploitation of labor and the penetration of overseas markets. Capitalist imperialism invests in other countries, transforming and dominating their economies, cultures, and political life, integrating their financial and productive structures into an international system of capital accumulation.
Insane 10-20% annual capital growth -- has to come from somewhere.
Introduction -- Imperialism
Imperialism occurs when a strong nation takes over a weaker nation or region and dominates its economic, political, or cultural life.
This type of foreign policy was practiced by European nations and Japan throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. In every case, a nation would experience industrialization prior to practicing imperialism on a foreign nation or region. This was due to the nearly insatiable demand for cheap raw materials and the need for markets to buy manufactured goods.
Stop the Press! There's Gold in them thar hills! (Shhhh!)
U.S. Identifies Vast Mineral Riches in Afghanistan
by James Risen, nytimes.com -- June 13, 2010
WASHINGTON — The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials.
The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium -- are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe.
An internal Pentagon memo, for example, states that Afghanistan could become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and BlackBerrys.
The vast scale of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth was discovered by a small team of Pentagon officials and American geologists. [...]
it could take many years to develop a mining industry, the potential is so great that officials and executives in the industry believe it could attract heavy investment even before mines are profitable [...]
Meanwhile back on the ranch, of forgotten historical ambitions ...
Article. I. -- Section. 10.
The U.S. Constitution
[...]
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
What is our Nation, if not a united set of actions and quiet resignation, of each of our individual States?
Impatient Corporate Rulers, want to know ... Are we an "Exceptional Nation" or What?
USGS Projects in Afghanistan
"We can achieve anything we set our minds to" ... except end, Endless Wars, apparently.