Globalization and Colonialism As They Term Paper

postcolonialweb.org/africa/akindele1b.html)."

SIMILARITIES

The main similarity between globalization and colonialism is the fact that it is economically driven and nonmilitary by nature (Massey, 2004). The underlying economic power in the globalization process is similar by nature to what happens in a colonialism effort between two geographic areas. In addition the effort to globalize is in some ways dovetailing with the colonialism efforts of history as it provides the weakening of the former financial structuring and places a stronger unified system in its place.

While this is an important component of the two systems it is where the similarities end. The differences are much more obvious and evident.

DIFFERENCES

One of the main differences between colonialism and globalization in the world of economics is the fact that globalization for the most part is a voluntary decision.

Though some experts argue that refugees and societies from underdeveloped cultures do not have much of a choice or any power in the world economic decisions, because they do not have email, fax machines and boardrooms (Massey, 2004), they are not actually being forced by economic sanction for the purpose of take over as can happen in the use of colonialism. This does create differential mobility however, and tends to make the already weak more weak (Massey, 2004).

The process of globalization is impelled by the series of cumulative and conjectural crises in the international division of labor and the global distribution of economic and political power; in global finance, in the functioning of national states (the Concept of Globalization, Its Implications and Consequences for Africa (http://www.postcolonialweb.org/africa/akindele1b.html)."

Colonialism is often driven by the conscious and decided efforts of one area to "sweat out" the other area by financial pressure (Massey, 2004). This can mean boycotts, refusal to do trade or other means that will generally weaken the overall economy of the less strong geographic area and crate a breeding ground for take over.

Differences today when it comes to geography and globalization vs. colonialism include regional areas. Historically areas that wanted to take over other areas with colonialism were limited by geographic boundaries. Today, however, the globalization process is worldwide. The advances in modern technology have created the ability to place economic pressure on societies around the globe without ever leaving one's own geographic area.

NEOCOLONIALISM

Society currently continues to live in a neocolonistic world. The avenues used today to gain power are really no different than were used during the days of colonialism, with a few technological advances that make it easier to do.

Today, with worldwide banking, off shore jobs, funding of international projects in the billions of dollars the underlying goals are the same, while the process is improved.

Today's society obtains power through the use of technology and finance more often than it does with war. Neocolonialism provides a classic blend of the old and the new with the same objective in mind.

References

The Concept of Globalisation, Its Implications and Consequences for Africa

S.T. Akindele, Ph.D; T.O. Gidado, M.Sc; and O.R. Olaopo; Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University

http://www.postcolonialweb.org/africa/akindele1b.html

The question of colonialism http://www.infed.org/biblio/colonialism.htm

Massey, Doreen (2004) a Global Sense of Place.

The Power of Geography. World Development Report.