I'm reading a book about a left-wing activist (A long-dead, pre-woke left-wing activist.)
The book, however, has been written recently so it uses contemporary leftist rhetoric. It repeatedly uses the word "imperialist".
I always find myself wondering why the (contemporary) left would oppose imperialism.
Is it because they think power should be devolved, that everyone should be governed by rulers who live close to them rather than rulers who live far away? Is it a sort of localism?
That sounds plausible...except the left is overwhelmingly in favour of supranational institutions like the EU, the WHO, the UN, etc. etc. Just look at the meltdown they had about Brexit.
So do the left oppose imperialism because they think people should be self-governing and not ruled by an alien government?
But what could this possibly mean according to the leftist worldview? The whole idea of an allegiance that is based on anything particularistic-- religion, language, ethnicity, folkways-- is anathema to the left. According to the left, the only permissible bond, on a societal level, is common humanity. (Even while they push identity-based grievances, this remains true.)
So how can the left possibly oppose imperialism? On what grounds? I don't get it.
It's a good question and you have answered it, by implication.
ReplyDeleteThe Left is opposed to the word but not the thing! The word was used only up to the mid 20th century, the thing continues under different names or no name - esp wrt the USA.
By avoiding the name, the US denies its imperial responsibility, and is free to use or destroy its colonies ("allies") whenever this is profitable or convenient. As has become Very obvious.
Bruce
Hmmm, well, no, I must admit I wouldn't go along with this. My objection would be that, once we start expanding the meaning of a word like this, it can mean almost anything. And besides, I do think the influence of the USA on the world has been (and continues to be) overwhelmingly positive, even while I think it was wrong to go to war in Iran and Iraq and Vietnam, to support the Euromaidan, etc.
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