Colonialism has been a powerful theme in world history. From colonized south America to the USSR to Africa, there is hardly a spot on the globe untouched by its influence. It is essentially a system of direct political, economic, and cultural intervention and hegemony by a powerful country in a weaker one. Colonizing nations generally dominate the resources, labor, and markets of the colonial territory, and may also impose socio-cultural, religious, and linguistic structures on the indigenous population. Brazilians speak portuguese (latin) because they were colonised by portugal, in canada, the official language is both english and french, because both england and france colonised canada. Notably, The US was not involved in the colonial race. She adopted the ‘Monroe Doctrine’ which regarded colonialism as oppressive and intolerable, and refused to colonize any country. We can all imagine that if the US colonised a country, it would have tried to impose its economic,social,political, and culture to the countries it colonized.
If the US entered the colonial race, would you have loved it to colonize your country?
Do you think your country would be very different from what it is right now if it was colonised by the americans, like your culture, your language or political system?
Filed under: Uncategorized, world politics |
American world dominance 
Hey Eric, let me give my opinion which is sourced by my country’s history. Since the eve of 60s till the late 70’s United States was controlling the constitution of my country indirectly. Guess what?! The high standards of living, low rate of unemployment, booming economy, high reputation among the western nations, high value and respect to the educated people among the society and the funniest thing, more pious people through the society compare to now. They used to bring their own culture to the Middle East by persuasion of the westernized standards of living to the nation which its middle and lower level classes were contributing the majority. These people were the people who their context was the serious Muslims, old fashion and fanatic concepts of living. As the former National Security Adviser of United States “Zbigniew Burzynski” believes, the main reason that the former kingdom constitution of my county was collapsed was imposing the westernized ideas to the country which majority of the society couldn’t take the freedom, or better to say the prosperity of westernized culture. With no doubt in any nation which is colonized by Americans you can see the so called prosperity and high standards of living. It’s not just about the colonization on the specific country, even places like Dubai which has been beefed up by Americans, governs how these people bring change to the nations. Maybe one day “if we can get the visa” should send our children to study in Iraq or Afghanistan. Who knows?!!
Eric no country in this world would want to be colonized by others and loved for other countries to colonized them. For example my country Malaysia ; The arrival of Europeans in Malaysia brought a dramatic change to the country. In 1511, the Portuguese captured Malaka and the rulers of the Melaka Sultanate fled south to Johor where they tried to establish a new kingdom. They were resisted not only by the Europeans but by the Acehnese, Minangkabau and the Bugis, resulting in the sovereign units of the present-day states of Peninsular Malaysia. The Portuguese were in turn defeated in 1641 by the Dutch, who colonized Melaka until the advent of the British in the Dutch exerted any profound influence on Malay society. The British acquired Melaka from the Dutch in 1824 in exchange for Bencoolen in Sumatra. From their new bases in Malaka, Penang and Singapore, collectively known as the Straits settlements, the British, through their influence and power, began the process of political intergration of the Malay states of Peninsular Malaysia.
After World War II and the Japanese occupation from 1941-45, the British created the Malayan Union 1946.This was abandoned in 1948 and the Federation of Malaya emerged in its place. The Federation gained its independence from Britain on 31 August 1957.In September 1963, Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah, and initially Singapore united to form Malaysia, a country whose potpourri of society and customs derives from its rich heritage from four of the world’s major cultures – Chinese, Indian, Islamic and Western.
And although i am not proud that my country was to be allowed to be colonized but i wouldn’t change it for the world because every country that has been colonized has its own way and if there were to be colonized by other countries who knows what will happen.
Hey Eric,good question!!Well,I don’t think I want Malaysia to be colonized by any country especially by America.I love my country as it is. It’s PEACE inshAllah.
MALAYSIA is a multi-ethnic, democratic country which pratices freedom to religion and rich with multi-cultural traditions. There are currently around 22 million Malaysians. The country consist of 13 States and 2 Federal Territories (One in the Klang Valley where the capital Kuala Lumpur is situated and the other is Labuan Island in East Malaysia)
The evolution of mankind in this part of the world shows how this region has been influenced by various culture, traditions, and beliefs. It’s rich natural resources and strategic location have attracted merchants from all over the world . The region also had been the subject of conquests by various asian kingdoms and western empires.
History revealed that this part of the world has been dominated or under the protection of various kingdoms and colonial empires. These foreign influences played significant role in the composition and values of the current society. Among them are as follows:-
1 Century : Hindu Kingdom of Langkasuka (Kedah, Perlis & Patani)
2 Century : Funan Empire of South Indo-China (Northern part of Peninsular Malaysia)
7 Century : Sri Vijaya Hindu Kingdom of East Sumatra
14 Century : Javanese Empire of Majapahit
15 Century : Islamic Empire of Malacca
16 Century (24/8/1511) : The Portuguese Kingdom of Portugal conquered Malacca
16 Century : Islamic Empire of Johor
17 Century (14/1/1641) : The Dutch conquered Malacca from the Portuguese.
11/8/1786 : The British in Penang
1/12/1794 : The British took over power in Malacca from the Dutch
1/7/1896: Selangor, Perak, Pahang & Negeri Sembilan under the Federated Malay States formed by the British.
1923 : British in Kedah
1930 : British in Perlis
December 1941 : Japanese Invasion under WWII
August, 1943 : Japanese returned Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu & Kelantan to Siam (Thailand).
http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/Exchange/4096/history.html
31st August 1957 : Malaysia Independence Day
I’m happy to be in Malaysia and always proud and lucky to be a Malaysian.I wouldn’t want my country to be colonized by American because I may not have the freedom and Peace as I have now.
Annuar, don’t get mixed up. Absolutely right, no country wants to be colonized, but no asian, south american and african country could avoid colonizattion in the 17th-18th century. Our countries were colonized not because they choosed to, but because they had no choice. As bad as it is, colonization happened, and what i want to know is, how do you think your country would be today if it was colonized by the americans, and not the europeans. Would you love it?
PLEASE: NO HISTORY LESSONS NOTES. They are not needed (brief one ok). BARDIA TAKE NOTE!!!!
It seems people don’t understand what i’m saying. I’m not saying i want your country to be colonized. Nobody still thinks of colonization in the first place. Your country WAS colonized by the british,right? I’m asking, what if instead of the british, it was the americans who colonized………………. I want your opinion on that, and not a website’s information on it.
As simple as that.
Eric, I have compared American colonized countries with Russian Colonies and found out that those countries having Americans colonized, are comparatively better than other Russian Colonies. I think my country would have had higher growth rate, may be the true “DEMOCRACY” would have been a form of my government, English would have been one of the native languages of Uzbekistan, and it would effect our culture as well…Everything seems to be good if we had Americans as “colonial masters”, however, there is 1 thing I do not want to imagine…Seeing same sex marriages in Uzbekistan….NO WAY DUDE….Anyways, in my opinion, Uzbekistan would have been better than it is right now if it would be colonized by Americans.
Well, my friend I don’t think it won’t be a good idea. Let me tell you as to other many other countries India was also colonized by British and they ruled India for almost four years. But before British came India was know as golden bird and British came and stole all the gold from India, even world’s priceless diamond ‘Kohinoor’ was taken from India and now its with Queen Elizabeth. Even it’s because of British that now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is separate country. Yes I will agree to some extent that with America colonizing India would have been different situation, but still man cannot take risk, the only thing I would like to say that India is better with what it is now.
firstly i would like to thank mr young obama being drunk with full of bottles.congratulation also for picking up such a controversial topic and question.well..its too complicated to say america colonize us. every country has their own culture, belief, religion,values, norms and patriotism.no country want to be dominated by another country.as nimesh has stated take india for an example where indian had loss a lot due to colonization.however there are also various countries which flourish due to colonization in terms of political stability, economic system and socio-cultural aspects.as far as my country is concerned i dont accept any country to colonize whether it is america or any.we are good where we are…if others want to know me how i am then i welcome but its unacceptable to show others myself by anothers name…thank u ….
eric,
thanks for inviting me to comment on your blog. controversial, paradoxical, thought provoking are how i would describe of what had been posted on your blog so far. let me give very brief thoughts or further provocations on all the topics so far:
1. the world has been dominated by different powers in the history of the world. it’s like the wheel of life, nothing is permanent. things shall change, dominance will end.
2. any dominance will bring good, bad and ugly changes in any societies. embrace the good ones and learn from the bad and ugly ones.
3. yes, world without america is not viable. so is the world without others. co-existence is what makes the world today.
4. it’s not about stopping america. it’s not about stopping other nations too. america should not stop others in their path nor others should stop america in its path. but the right path is towards a united stand on common issues affecting mankind’s long term survival, its about correcting the wrongs that mankind has committed, regardless from whatever nations. nations are run by humans and they are not perfect.
5. america is already a colonial master today. the things we eat and wear, the internet, the nike, the music, and even the blogging we do now! see what i mean?
cheers,
kui
Wow, great, great comment from kui. Gotta say that was really insightfull and wonderful.it’s good to know the world still has people like you.