Well yeah. Did someone say otherwise? We had official self declared empires into the 20th century. Empire of Japan, Empire of China, The Nazis were the “third Reich.” Which literally means more like “kingdom” but is generally translated as “Empire.” History is FULL of empires around the globe, and even after WW2 helped put the final word in that empires weren’t fashionable- we arguably have modern day empires.
Of course one can be an imperialist without being an empire- but when you literally have empire as your official designation that is a pretty solid sign you are an imperialist.
You hear so much about “western imperialism” largely for two reasons.
1. For several centuries western imperialism was the world more or less. When it came to far reaching imperialism that shaped the globe and not just local or regional goings on- bet it was the west. A combination of factors- let’s simplify it to the big ones- western expansion and intervention- stoped out eastern imperial ambitions of long dominant powers. Internal and other events helped- but empires like China which had expanded and endured had little room to grow, reduced further because almost anywhere they might try to grow to they were blocked by other powers- often western powers- especially for a large period the British, who had defacto global empire status above all. Then of course we know- and it isn’t like no one played shady pool against the Brit’s so don’t get your knickers twisted- but we know the UK stole secrets and trades from China like tea and silk- further undermining their global position. They sewers unrest and drugged the country. Drugs and religion combined..
With what was often superior naval strength and military technology were used to great effect by the west against Asian countries. Japan tried to industrialize and modernize late in the game, even joined the Allie’s in WW1 and got some islands and other territories from the Germans and such, which helped set them up for being a major combatant in ww2 and briefly and horrifically expanding their empire into China and Korea and elsewhere. But when we talk about centuries long imperialism that has strong global echos to this day- Western imperialism is what shaped the 20th and so far set up the global stage for the 21st century. While the west has basically universally dropped imperial titles- many western powers still meet the criteria and behaviors to be called imperialist. As the meme eludes to- yes. There are other imperialists, but how many of them have started or are regularly the cause of worries if the start of a third world war? The main countries that tend to be considered the
modern empires also curiously tend to correspond with the “big winners” of WW2, the allied forces chairs- Russia, the USA, UK…. The permanent members of the UN… so duh- to be international news something usually has to be international ally important. War and death are horrible, and politics anywhere in the world ripples and impacts many things globally- but when we talk about imperialists who can shake the world… insert Harry Potter meme about it always being these guys here…. And we can discount many nations one might argue are imperialist as for example- while there are governments in the Middle East seeking to expand their borders, these conflicts are often not imperialist from their perspectives as often they consider the territory to be theirs already and as simply occupied or the goal isn’t territory or empire but ethnic conflict etc.
So you’re going to hear about western imperialism because that is largely what shaped the world for more than a century before WW2 and has shaped it since WW2. You will hear about it because in the modern world it is primarily western governments that have both the power and proclivities to expand or administer global empires.
The short over simplified definition of imperialism is a government that seeks territorial expansion through military or diplomatic means. China has some territory beefs such as with Japan, and depending on how you view it Taiwan would be an ambition of expansion- but what lands has China conquered or folded in to itself of late…?
2. Propaganda. Most nations Can at some point be described as imperialist. But really- the word is hot. It’s short hand or synonymous with aggressive colonization and marginalization. Much of the world has been under western imperialism or whims over the last couple centuries plus. Former victims of non consensual absorption into western empires and their neighbors and successors aren’t crazy to be wary and vigilant at the prospect that western countries have shown over these last centuries that they can and will take what they want as suits them if you can’t stop them. So it isn’t totally insane to me ruin western imperialism as either a potential threat to brace against or even in context to the overall status and circumstances of many nations whom still have to live with enduring consequences of western imperialism even if it left their home lands centuries ago. As stated earlier- the current global powers align nicely with a list of.. western imperialists. That said-
western imperialism and concepts of western power, western blame- very convenient boogey men. For leaders and nations with ideological or political or economic conflicts of interest with western powers, invoking western imperialism can be a convenient rallying cry or scale goat even when it doesn’t make much sense. The west and especially certain western countries make for easy and popular global enemies. If you want to unify people or distract them with a common enemy- the west is a great go to in most of the world. Perhaps not totally undeservedly- but not always. So indeed- western imperialism can be a jingoistic cry that serves a zeitgeist or fills a political or social need. There are and have been entire governments who rely on the threat and concept of western imperialism to maintain regional power or control. Making bulwark allegiances against real or so called western imperialism presents a back door that other powers can use to gain leverage and exercise power on a global
stage. So there ar legitimate reasons that western imperialism is such a common phrase, but it is true that a combination of mis use of the phrase or outright propaganda contribute to why you hear the term so much.
Of course one can be an imperialist without being an empire- but when you literally have empire as your official designation that is a pretty solid sign you are an imperialist.
You hear so much about “western imperialism” largely for two reasons.
The short over simplified definition of imperialism is a government that seeks territorial expansion through military or diplomatic means. China has some territory beefs such as with Japan, and depending on how you view it Taiwan would be an ambition of expansion- but what lands has China conquered or folded in to itself of late…?