imperialistic

Imperialistic is an adjective relating to imperialism, the policy or practice of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition, political domination, economic influence, or cultural preeminence. It describes actions, aims, or attitudes that seek to create or maintain an empire or influence beyond a country’s traditional borders. The term is often used in historical analysis to characterize expansion by states during the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as later examples of overseas expansion, conquest, or influence.

Imperialistic policies can be expressed through conquest or annexation, protectorates and spheres of influence, unequal treaties, economic domination, and cultural imposition. They may be pursued for strategic security, resource access, or market control, and often involve coordination between state and non-state actors, including corporations or military forces. The concept also encompasses forms of indirect rule and governance designed to extract value while limiting direct administration.

Critics use imperialistic to emphasize coercive or exploitative aspects, arguing that imperialism sought to extract resources, secure markets, or project power at the expense of subject peoples. Proponents in historical contexts sometimes framed actions as civilizing missions, modernization efforts, or stabilization, though these rationales are widely debated.

Related terms include colonialism, neocolonialism, and mercantilism, as well as broader ideas about economic exploitation and political influence. Cultural imperialism describes the spread of a dominant state’s language, media, education, and values, shaping other societies. In contemporary discourse, imperialistic is used to describe policies or rhetoric resembling empire-building, including debates over great power competition, intervention, and economic leverage.