Two models of imperialism: Will a Harris victory really benefit the global south?
Both the Democratic and Republican Parties have been interested in the development of US imperialism and have used military power to maintain American economic hegemony. As the US elections approach, many global south figures are under pressure to speak out in support of Kamala Harris. According to AP News, a recent media movement has argued that electing Harris could benefit democracy in the US and the global south.
One of the reasons for this support is that Trump is said to be a threat to US democracy and the interests of the global south. While this argument may seem logical in terms of US domestic affairs, it is necessary to question whether Harris' victory is truly in the interest of the global south. Two-Party Imperialism Both the Democratic and Republican Parties have been interested in the development of US imperialism and the maintenance of American economic hegemony through the use of military force. Both parties have used the ideology of "evangelized democracy" to justify this imperialist expansion, as seen in the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
For example, in 2002, most Democratic Senators voted to attack Iraq. Democrats have taken a more "multilateralist" approach than Republicans, seeking the support of international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO rather than unilateral action. But these differences are largely a matter of style, and their impact has not made much difference to the global south.
In recent months, an interesting phenomenon has been taking place: many former Republican politicians have turned to support Democrats. The most notable of these figures are Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, both of whom have been prominent supporters of war-oriented policies in the Middle East. The reason for this huge exodus is that Republicans no longer trust Trump, who has weakened Western alliances and has not adhered to traditional American foreign policy principles. In contrast, the Biden administration and now Harris have adopted more aggressive and militaristic policies.
Biden has continued his full support for Israel and re-enforced NATO, which Trump had weakened. Biden has also taken unprecedented measures to contain China. These policies bear a strong resemblance to George Bush’s policies, which aimed to exclude Russia and contain China. Two Models of Imperialism In fact, two models of imperialism are facing each other in the November elections: One is the traditional Democrats and Republicans, who are trying to maintain US hegemony through global capitalism and multilateral military alliances. The other is the Trump model, which aims to isolate itself from the world by focusing on “America First.” This perspective emphasizes reducing international interventions and focusing on America, while also encouraging more aggressive policies in some of its programs. As a result, both models seem harmful to the global south, and while the Democrats continue their imperialist policies, Trump’s approach leaves the global south alone.
