neocolonial

Neocolonialism is a term used to describe the continuing influence of former colonial powers and other dominant countries over less powerful states through indirect means rather than direct political rule. The concept emerged in the mid-20th century and is associated with Kwame Nkrumah and later scholars who argued that political independence did not erase economic and strategic subordination.

Mechanisms of neocolonial influence include economic arrangements that favor core powers: unequal terms of trade, debt dependency, and the operations of multinational corporations that extract resources and profits while constraining local policy options. Development aid, loans, and policy conditionalities from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank can steer macroeconomic policy toward external preferences. Politically, external support for client regimes, sanctions, or security aid can shape governance and strategic choices. Culturally, media, education, and consumer cultures can reproduce external norms and values that align with the interests of powerful states or corporations.

Debates around the term center on questions of agency and causality in an interconnected world. Critics argue that neocolonialism can obscure local dynamics and overstate external control, while proponents say it highlights persistent patterns of economic dependence and influence beyond formal sovereignty. In contemporary discourse, neocolonialism is invoked to analyze resource extraction, aid practices, trade disparities, and the reach of multinational corporations and financial institutions in various regions, including Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.