From the Industrial Revolution to Imperialism: The Historical Backdrop of Plunder
From Direct Colonialism to the Neo-colonial Order
India's Experience: Limited Industrialization and the Rise of Nationalism
The Politics of West Asia: Oil, Strategic Interests, and Intervention
Iran: A Center of Resistance Against Neo-colonial Pressures
The US–Iran Conflict: Shifting Global Power Equations
How Does the US–Iran Conflict Signal the End of the Neo-colonial Order? An In-depth Analysis of History, Imperialism, and Global Politics...
The neo-colonial era and the historical significance of the US-Iran war
By Justice Markandey Katju
The most significant thing about the US-Iran war, which most people do not realise, is that it is helping bring about an end to the neo-colonial era.
Let me explain.
Western countries, having industrialized after the Industrial Revolution ( which began in England in the first half of the 18th century, and then spread to western Europe and America), began an era of imperialism and colonialism in. the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, their aim being to capture the markets and raw materials of the colonies, for their growing industries.
In addition, the Western countries benefited by the cheap labour available in the colonies, which enabled them to produce goods at a much cheaper price, thus increasing their profits considerably. While the early part of the era of imperialism was characterised by the export of manufactured goods from the mills of the imperial country to the colonies, the later part was characterised by the export of capital ( and not just goods ) from the imperial countries to the colonies.
To give an example, the British imperialists, who conquered India, later set up textile and other light industries in India ( instead of setting them up in England ), as India had cheap labour. This guaranteed super profits to the British businessmen, as their cost of production was considerably reduced ( cost of labour is a big chunk of the total cost of production ).
In this way there was a certain amount of industrialisation of India ( though this was very limited, as only setting up light industries was permitted by the British government. The British policy was not to permit setting up heavy industries in India ).
The spirit of nationalism and patriotism is a product of industrialisation. The industrialisation of India ( though very limited ) done by the Britishers, and aimed at increasing their profits, also had an effect never intended by the Britishers. It created the spirit of nationalism and patriotism among a section of Indians, which led to the Indian Independence Struggle.
It was then increasingly realised by our British rulers that direct rule over India ( by having a British Viceroy and other officials, the British army, etc ) could not continue for long, as opposition to it by Indian nationalists and patriots was bound to increase, and could even take on an armed form ( as it did in China e.g. guerrilla war, etc ).
However, they did not want to give up their economic interests in India. So the method they devised was to switch over from colonialism to neo-colonialism, i e., from direct rule to indirect rule, which is rule through their local puppets, instead of direct rule through their officials, army, etc. This saved them the huge expenditure they had to incur on high salaries to their officials and the army, etc, while enabling them to continue their exploitation and loot of the erstwhile colony.
The pattern which the British rulers adopted in India ( of ostensibly granting freedom in 1947, but safeguarding their own economic interests ), was followed by imperialists everywhere e.g. by the French in Algeria.
In the middle East, since a huge amount of oil was found there, it was vital for Western countries, whose leader was USA, to safeguard the supply of oil to the Western countries. This they did (1) by creating Israel as a Western military garrison or outpost (2) by setting up puppet regimes in all middle eastern countries, e.g. in Saudi Arabia, whose royal family are US puppets. The anti American governments of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and of Bashar Asad in Syria, were toppled.
In all middle eastern countries the rulers are US puppets, while the people are mostly strongly anti-American.
The sole exception was Iran, which refused to become a US puppet, and that is why it has been attacked by the forces of USA and its protege Israel.
The latter aimed at a quick regime change and setting up of a US puppet regime in Iran. But what has happened is quite different. The war, which has been going on since 28th February has now lasted for 4 weeks, with no signs of an Iranian surrender. Rather, the Iranians are hitting back regularly by missile and drone strikes on Israel and US bases and assets
The unity and bravery which the Iranians have displayed are a beacon light and show the way out to all underdeveloped countries ( which are really neo-colonial puppets of the Western countries ).
By their undaunted fight and indomitable spirit, the brave Iranians have now shown that the neo-colonial era is coming to an end, and the developed countries can no longer continue to loot the underdeveloped countries while ostensibly granting freedom to them.
Inspired by the bravery of the Iranians, and taking a cue from them, the people of the Middle Eastern countries are now getting emboldened to rise up against their rulers, who are US puppets.
The Hezbollah of Lebanon have started attacking Israel, and the Houthis of Yemen are likely to follow suit soon. The people of Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc are seething with anger at the brutal, barbaric and unprovoked attack by US-Israeli forces against Iran ( even when negotiations were going on in Geneva ), and may soon join hands with Iran.
This war has thus inspired people of the underdeveloped countries to see through the facade of 'freedom' which developed countries gave them, by converting colonialism into neo-colonialism ( which really marked no change in their economic servitude and loot ).
The next stage of history will be abolition of neo-colonialism, and giving genuine economic freedom to the people of the underdeveloped world. The brave Iranians have the honour of being the leaders of such people by their valiant struggle against seemingly insuperable odds. Hats off to them !
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
