StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Opinions of the Three Authors Concerning the Effect of Imperialism on Material Progress - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of "The Opinions of the Three Authors Concerning the Effect of Imperialism on Material Progress" paper argues that the positive effects of imperialism that Bauer and Kaplan provide are more profound than the negative effects that Davis presents…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.8% of users find it useful

Extract of sample "The Opinions of the Three Authors Concerning the Effect of Imperialism on Material Progress"

Bauer’s article “The Economics of Resentment: Colonialism and Underdevelopment” explains the concepts that underline the correlation between colonial status and the material development of the underdeveloped world. He introduces the concept of economic or environmental determinism, in which he cites external forces as the cause of the poverty of some groups.1 Bauer dispels the common opinion that the underdeveloped world is poor because of Western policies and imperialism. Removal of colonialism does not necessarily trigger economic development.

Colonial status does not necessarily hamper the material progress of developing countries in Africa or Asia. Robert Kaplan’s article “In Defense of Empire” explores tempered American imperialism. Imperialism has both positive and negative aspects, depending on its application in a country or empire. Kaplan explains that previous empires provided greater peace and stability as compared to contemporary America. Imperialism is a form of self-government that occupies a middle ground between disorder and full state control.

2 Although the quest for riches drives imperialism, it results in other beneficial factors such as cosmopolitanism, which spur growth. The conclusion that imperialism only results in evil is an apathetic notion based on some minor cases of its negative effects. Mike Davis’ “Late Victorian Holocausts” is a book that relates political economy and global climate patterns, specifically, the relationship between colonialism, capitalism, and global famine. He highlights the negative effects of imperialism when he argues that economic and political systems, which characterize imperialism, have caused the death of millions.

Davis’ book details how the economic philosophy of the colonial governments exacerbated rural poverty and food shortage while economic guidelines intensified famine. This imperialistic behavior is the reason for most third-world countries.3 Davis would dispute Bauer and Kaplan’s argument because he focuses on the negative effects of imperialism. Bauer and Kaplan are more convincing than Davis because they examine both the positive and negative aspects of colonialism and imperialism while Davis only focuses on famine as a negative aspect.

While colonialists institute policies that may undermine economic growth, it is the duty of local governments and empires to exploit the benefits of imperialism, for instance, cosmopolitanism. The situation in India was a catastrophic effect of fierce economic dissimilarity combined with a radical one-sidedness of political voice and power. According to Bauer, imperialist governments promoted law and order, improved health and transport infrastructure, instituted financial institutions such as banks, and safeguarded legal interests and contractual agreements.

4 In conclusion, the speed at which countries adapt to social and political changes determines their material progress. Political regimes and their policies on economic development have a stronger effect on material progress than the effect of colonialism or imperialism. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Second paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Second paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1688831-second-paper
(Second Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Second Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1688831-second-paper.
“Second Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1688831-second-paper.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Opinions of the Three Authors Concerning the Effect of Imperialism on Material Progress

Critique of Cohn

His arguments in this context arise to dispel popular notions concerning unpopularity of the Haitian entertainment industry that equates the popularity, instead, with the huge financial investments put by French to preserve and nourish their unique culture.... Name: Date: A Critique of Tyler Cowen's Creative Destruction Tyler Cowen's Creative Destruction: How Globalization Is Changing the World's Culture is a typical elaborate book that examines the complex issue of trade and traditional cultural orientations....
5 Pages (1250 words) Book Report/Review

Masculinity and Stardom in Contemporary Society

The research areas chosen by me are simply the colossal task of sifting through the overwhelming amount of material I found on the subject.... While this may raise the question of 'cultural imperialism', one has to realize that in the interpretation and evaluation of its various methods of display and communication, the public sphere has become a strong purveyor of the idea of opening up societies to each other besides a relevant model upon which various studies like those of consumer patterns, may be based....
34 Pages (8500 words) Coursework

Kantian Form of Ethics

As self-realization progresses, ethics will be looking at these factors closely through three pieces of work that have been written in the context of the civil rights movement.... The following elements come into play here: The ends of humanity are often tied with the highest attainable human rights that make it possible for each and every individual to lead a secular and free life, filled with his or her personal choices and opinions....
22 Pages (5500 words) Essay

Marshall McLuhan: Theories and Contemporary Relevance

The paper gives an analysis of the relevance of his ideas and thinking in the twenty first century, particularly concerning the advent of the electronic media.... The ideas of Marshall McLuhan have had a lasting effect on how we understand the social and cultural effects of communication media especially in the twentieth century....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Tyler Cowens Creative Destruction

His arguments in this context arise to dispel popular notions concerning the unpopularity of the Haitian entertainment industry that equates the popularity, instead, with the huge financial investments.... The author of this book report "Tyler Cowens Creative Destruction" explains that the book that examines the complex issue of trade and traditional cultural orientations....
5 Pages (1250 words) Book Report/Review

Environmental Reporting

The paper "Environmental Reporting" focuses on the effect of the media in influencing reaction regarding a reported issue.... The media offers a platform for unifying ideologies concerning an issue.... Environmental reporting aims to generate and sustain an informed perception of environmental issues....
15 Pages (3750 words) Literature review

Oppression and Inequality of the Black Population

The regulation of values and interpretations as cultural imperialism and universalization of a dominant group's experience and culture in the establishment as the norm.... ultural imperialism refers to cultural oppression as a worldview of divergent cultural and ethnic groups to share a common geopolitical space that has unequal validation....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

The author of the paper "Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages" explores how teaching strategies and skills could assist instructors to be effective in their profession.... In today's world, there are many advantages if you can speak English fluently.... .... ... ... Knowing English helps us to meet and converse with people from different cultures and backgrounds....
25 Pages (6250 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us