Controversial General Political Discussion
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This guy is the clear representation of this deshumanization system and people look away
Great question! And I'm completely willing to answer that if you allow me to explain (although it won't be on the same level as real anti-imperialist).
Imperialism is a form of domination within the structure of capitalism that tends to be destructive, extractive and exploitative. It is a structural relationship that is meant to keep certain countries in a position of domination and exploitation and others in a form of dependance and subjugation where their economic survival can often depend on their willingness to abide by the rules of the imperialists countries. This is a residual structure from the colonization and the hegemony of Europe a few centuries ago.
For example, if countries in south america on the peripheries start to diverge from the interests of the US, the US will intervene under the pretext of policing the continent to stop the movement or disrupt the country.
There are what we call the imperialist cores or "metropole" : Rich countries in the west usually (US / France / Spain / Germany / UK / Israel, altough Israel is a special case) and there are the countries that we call the peripheries that either follow the extractive movement of the imperial center (Morocco, Argentina, Peru, Chili) or try resisting the hegemony of the imperial core with more strengh (Cuba for ex) with the consequential reaction from the imperialist core: blocus, intended starvation, deplation of ressources, attacks and bombing, removing of leaders, development of poverty etc..
Anti-imperialism aims at fighting this imperialistic domination structure to allow countries in the peripherie to get out of this relationship of subjugation and artificially created poverty and help the population to break free and flourish. It can take different forms, syndical, political, economical, military etc.
But mainly, anti-imperialism relies on a large amount of materialist thinking and social researches. Which is why it's not an easy domain to enter, it can be hard to understand, it's always evolving, it's complex etc.
We do not think that being anti-imperialist necessary means that a countries becomes a heaven of democracy without domination or oppression. We know that state can be anti-imperialist while still keeping a form of regional domination or exploitation (Iran is an example of that).
What is important to understand is the structural relationship between the imperial center and the peripheries and the hegemony created by this imperial core but also the nature of this relationship (extractive, exploitative, subjugative, oppressive). In the case of the west, this imperial center is starting to stumble, China is starting to dominate and the relationship they create are of a different nature closer to a form of partership.
Imperialism is not just simply the agression or domination of countries on others, it refers to an unequal structure within capitalism and the unequal relationship between state as well as the capacity of certain imperial state to exercise power beyond their borders.
The point is to distinguish the position of a country within the global imperialist framework (Iran for example, is not hegemonic on then world, they are merely resisting to a form of imperialism (ISrael+US) through outward means. Iran using proxies can be seen as a form of resistance against the imperialism of the US and Israel, rather than being an equivalent of imperial domination.
It's important because understanding the position in the domination hierarchy is what allows us to understand who is exercing the power and who is subjugated to it (even if they are trying to resist), it's similar to understanding power relationships in every day lives.
Anti imperialism allows us to see these power relationship more clearly and understand their complex intrication and fluidities.
Great question! And I'm completely willing to answer that if you allow me to explain (although it won't be on the same level as real anti-imperialist).
Imperialism is a form of domination within the structure of capitalism that tends to be destructive, extractive and exploitative. It is a structural relationship that is meant to keep certain countries in a position of domination and exploitation and others in a form of dependance and subjugation where their economic survival can often depend on their willingness to abide by the rules of the imperialists countries. This is a residual structure from the colonization and the hegemony of Europe a few centuries ago.
For example, if countries in south america on the peripheries start to diverge from the interests of the US, the US will intervene under the pretext of policing the continent to stop the movement or disrupt the country.
There are what we call the imperialist cores or "metropole" : Rich countries in the west usually (US / France / Spain / Germany / UK / Israel, altough Israel is a special case) and there are the countries that we call the peripheries that either follow the extractive movement of the imperial center (Morocco, Argentina, Peru, Chili) or try resisting the hegemony of the imperial core with more strengh (Cuba for ex) with the consequential reaction from the imperialist core: blocus, intended starvation, deplation of ressources, attacks and bombing, removing of leaders, development of poverty etc..
Anti-imperialism aims at fighting this imperialistic domination structure to allow countries in the peripherie to get out of this relationship of subjugation and artificially created poverty and help the population to break free and flourish. It can take different forms, syndical, political, economical, military etc.
But mainly, anti-imperialism relies on a large amount of materialist thinking and social researches. Which is why it's not an easy domain to enter, it can be hard to understand, it's always evolving, it's complex etc.
We do not think that being anti-imperialist necessary means that a countries becomes a heaven of democracy without domination or oppression. We know that state can be anti-imperialist while still keeping a form of regional domination or exploitation (Iran is an example of that).
What is important to understand is the structural relationship between the imperial center and the peripheries and the hegemony created by this imperial core but also the nature of this relationship (extractive, exploitative, subjugative, oppressive). In the case of the west, this imperial center is starting to stumble, China is starting to dominate and the relationship they create are of a different nature closer to a form of partership.
Imperialism is not just simply the agression or domination of countries on others, it refers to an unequal structure within capitalism and the unequal relationship between state as well as the capacity of certain imperial state to exercise power beyond their borders.
The point is to distinguish the position of a country within the global imperialist framework (Iran for example, is not hegemonic on then world, they are merely resisting to a form of imperialism (ISrael+US) through outward means. Iran using proxies can be seen as a form of resistance against the imperialism of the US and Israel, rather than being an equivalent of imperial domination.
It's important because understanding the position in the domination hierarchy is what allows us to understand who is exercing the power and who is subjugated to it (even if they are trying to resist), it's similar to understanding power relationships in every day lives.
Anti imperialism allows us to see these power relationship more clearly and understand their complex intrication and fluidities.
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I want to add that all the advanced topics I'm bringing up (Intersectionnality, anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, materialism, anti-capitalism and marxism) are still very new to me. I've only been politicized this radically for less than two or three years. So what I'm sharing is the surface and most basic understanding of these topics. I understand very well this surface logic, but I'm still a newbie for deeper stuff, which is why an attentive eye should be able to see that my rethoric is sometimes evolving and contradicting itself, especially between now and 4 years ago.
I'm always trying my best to find the most simplest and clearer explanations because I think no topics should be gatekeeped. If there is something that is not clear, please notice it to me and I'll try to give more detailed explanation in the limits of my own understanding. It's also important to note that I'm mostly repeating what more intelligent people are saying. I can recommend books and stuff to go farther, if necessary, mainly for french people sadly.
I'm always trying my best to find the most simplest and clearer explanations because I think no topics should be gatekeeped. If there is something that is not clear, please notice it to me and I'll try to give more detailed explanation in the limits of my own understanding. It's also important to note that I'm mostly repeating what more intelligent people are saying. I can recommend books and stuff to go farther, if necessary, mainly for french people sadly.