ON CULTURAL IMPERIALISM

In the 18^th down to 20^th centuries, European powers engaged in expansionism and acquisition of overseas territories, uprooting and replacing the people’s culture and general way of life. These powers include Portugal, Spain, Britain, Belgium, France, and Germany to mention a few. The scramble and partition of Africa is a case in point. This was the balkanization and subjugation of the African continent. It is this act that scholars refer to as colonization. However, the deliberate policy to extend a state’s control and influence to other countries usually through acquisition and control of territories as well as exerting economic, social and political dominance on the acquired territory is imperialism. It often takes the form of military force, total colonization or asymmetrical economic and trade relations. It can also manifest in economic, ideological or cultural dominance.

Sequel to the wave of independence especially in Africa, colonial powers relinquished direct political control of their overseas territories. However, socio-cultural cum economic ties remained intact. This is as religion, governmental arrangement, economic type, and certain cultural attributes associated with the colonial lords were still observed in these former colonies. Scholars have referred to these as the effects of imperialism. Although there are two sides to it, not a few pundits believe that imperialism brought about unequal politico-economic relations between nations and greatly eroded the people’s customs and traditions.    

This is more significant in the type of economic formations across these new territories, manifesting mostly in the practice of free economy. This is capitalism, now being expanded by the whole phenomenon of globalization. It must be noted that a few former territories of these colonial masters are having a state controlled economy.

However, of significant effect on the economies of these new territories is cultural imperialism, an almost complete supplanting of the traditions and totality of the way of life of the peoples of these new territories. This is referred to as Cultural imperialism. It is the act of promoting and replacing a people’s values, beliefs, norms, symbols, and totality of way of life by a dominating state. It is about the dominance of another people through several channels including religion and technology among others. At the individual level, this type of imperialism manifests in consumption habit, clothing patterns, language, and education, to mention a few examples. On the other hand, cultural imperialism at the level of society is usually seen in widespread adoption of otherwise align culture in terms of music, movies, jewelries and others.

Cultural imperialism has however resulted in myriad of developments which could be said to be affecting behavioral disposition in these freed territories. This is with regards to erosion of culture and reshaping of the peoples cultural landscape. This is without prejudice to the advantages of imperialism, when such factor as cultural diversity is considered.

Imperialism dilutes, dominate or supplant the culture and totality of peoples’ life patterns. This manifests in different forms and is presently driven by globalization. This is against direct control of these people as experienced during the colonial era. It is important for governments and people whose cultures are being eroded to take deliberate steps to manage the negative effects of imperialism.