Imperialist Designs in Global Politics | Editorials by CSS & PMS Aspirants
The following article, “Global Politics stands more Derisive than it was Ever Before Due to the Specific Imperialist Designs”, is written by Urooj Khan, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Global politics has become more fragmented and contentious than ever before, mainly due to the pursuit of imperialist ambitions by major world powers. While some argue that such strategies promote stability and development, the reality suggests otherwise. Undoubtedly, these policies deepen global inequalities, entrench economic dependence, and manipulate international institutions to serve narrow interests instead of fostering peace. Therefore, rather than uniting nations, imperialist agendas have aggravated divisions, which thus leave smaller states in turmoil.
Before directly discussing the main points, understanding imperialist ambitions is crucial to dissecting their impact on global stability. Unlike traditional colonialism, which involved direct territorial control, modern imperialism operates through economic leverage, political interference, and military influence. In fact, major powers extend their reach by dictating financial terms to weaker nations, orchestrating regime changes, and using global institutions to secure their dominance. Hence, countries subjected to these tactics often find themselves trapped in dependency cycles, unable to develop independent economic or political policies.
Moving forward, the historical evolution of these ambitions demonstrates how they have shifted from overt colonization to more covert mechanisms of control. In the early 20th century, colonial empires ruled vast territories by extracting resources and imposing governance structures. However, as direct rule became untenable, powerful states adopted neocolonial strategies. These involve economic manipulation through institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, military interventions justified under humanitarian pretexts, and diplomatic pressures that undermine sovereign decision-making. So, instead of fostering real cooperation, these strategies ensure continued dominance over weaker nations.
The Derisive State of Global Politics
Discussing how global politics stands more derisive than it was ever before due to the specific imperialist designs, the first point of argument to justify this point is economic sanctions that serve as a key element of modern imperialism. While often justified as measures to enforce international norms, these sanctions frequently harm ordinary citizens more than the governments they target. According to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), economic sanctions imposed by leading global powers have significantly worsened humanitarian conditions in countries like Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea. Thus, it means that instead of compelling governments to change policies, these sanctions restrict access to essential goods; deepen poverty; and contribute to economic instability, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.
Moreover, military interventions have consistently demonstrated their capacity to disrupt rather than stabilize nations. Although often framed as efforts to promote democracy or combat security threats, foreign interventions tend to escalate conflicts rather than resolve them. And the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 serves as a prime example. Undoubtedly, justified initially on the grounds of dismantling Saddam Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction, the invasion resulted in state collapse; prolonged sectarian violence; and the emergence of extremist groups. Additionally, a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly condemned the invasion by mentioning it as a violation of international law, which can have disastrous long-term consequences for nations. Similarly, NATO’s 2011 intervention in Libya, intended to protect civilians, instead led to political disintegration and a humanitarian crisis, thus highlighting the far-reaching consequences of foreign military involvement.
In addition, the burden of foreign debt has emerged as a major mechanism through which powerful nations maintain influence over developing economies. While loans are often presented as growth instruments, they frequently lead to dependence rather than development. To elaborate, a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) found that IMF-imposed austerity measures in Argentina and Ghana have exacerbated financial instability, stripping these nations of economic sovereignty. Hence, by prioritizing debt repayment over national development, these policies hinder long-term progress and keep borrowing nations under the control of their creditors.
Meanwhile, regime change operations have been another tool global powers use to secure their interests, often at the cost of stability in target nations. Undoubtedly, history is replete with examples of foreign-backed coups and political interference leading to chaos rather than progress. For instance, in Libya, NATO’s military intervention resulted in the collapse of government institutions, which fostered an environment of lawlessness and militant insurgencies. Similarly, in Afghanistan, decades of foreign intervention culminated in the abrupt withdrawal of international forces – triggering economic collapse, food shortages, and a worsening humanitarian crisis – as noted by the UN Development Program (UNDP), thereby validating the maxim.
Likewise, the selective nature of humanitarian aid further stresses the self-serving nature of imperialist designs. While aid is often portrayed as an apolitical effort to assist those in need, global powers frequently allocate resources based on strategic interests rather than humanitarian urgency. To validate this argument, a 2021 report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that while Western nations rapidly mobilized aid for Ukraine, ongoing crises in Yemen, Syria, and South Sudan received minimal attention. So, this disparity shows how political calculations often dictate humanitarian assistance rather than genuine concern for human suffering.
Lastly, the reckless manner in which major powers disengage from conflicts they once played a pivotal role in creating is also equally concerning. Unquestionably, political withdrawals without proper planning have repeatedly led to humanitarian disasters, as seen in Afghanistan following the US military withdrawal in 2021. According to UNDP assessments, the sudden departure of foreign forces triggered economic collapse; severe food shortages; and the resurgence of extremist rule, reversing decades of progress in governance and human rights. Hence, the failure to ensure a stable transition before exiting spotlighted how imperialist interventions often leave nations worse off than before.
The Illusion of Stability and Peace at the hands of Global Powers
However, critics argue that major global powers contribute to global stability through institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. They assert that these entities provide essential financial assistance to struggling nations by helping them stabilize their economies, reduce poverty, and improve governance. However, supporters of the main maxim contend that these financial bodies function as mechanisms of control rather than genuine aid providers. Indeed, financial assistance from the IMF and the World Bank often comes with rigid conditions that disproportionately burden weaker nations. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) have deepened poverty – especially in African and Latin American countries – by enforcing austerity, reducing public spending, and prioritizing debt repayment over social welfare. So, these institutions perpetuate economic dependency instead of fostering true independence, further reinforcing global inequalities.
Similarly, opponents believe that major powers contribute to global peace through institutions like the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). They contend that these organizations foster international cooperation by providing diplomatic platforms, preventing conflicts, and regulating global trade to ensure economic stability. For example, the WTO enforces trade agreements that promote fair competition while the UN mediates international disputes. However, supporters refute this notion, asserting that these institutions primarily serve the interests of dominant global powers. Indeed, while the UN was established to uphold international law, its decisions often reflect the geopolitical priorities of influential nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), during the COVID-19 pandemic, wealthier countries monopolized vaccine distribution, leaving poorer nations without essential medical supplies. Likewise, the UN Security Council’s veto power enables superpowers to block resolutions addressing human rights violations. Thus, rather than promoting true global cooperation, these institutions reinforce economic and political disparities by favoring powerful nations at the expense of weaker ones.
In conclusion, the idea that imperialist designs contribute to global stability is ultimately an illusion. Although contenders argue that these policies foster economic growth and international cooperation, the evidence clearly demonstrates their role in exacerbating inequality, political instability, and humanitarian crises. Truly – whether through economic coercion, military interventions, or institutional manipulation – these strategies consistently serve the interests of the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable. Simply put, unless the international community rethinks its approach to global governance, the fractures in world politics would inevitably deepen – leaving smaller nations at the mercy of an increasingly unjust order.
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