Imperialism
Today, what we increasingly witness is not merely capitalism, but imperialism in its modern form.
In Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism (1917), Lenin argued that capitalism does not remain confined within national borders. As wealth and capital become concentrated in the hands of monopolies, large banks, and financial institutions, the relentless pursuit of profit drives capitalist powers to expand beyond their own countries.
When profitable investment opportunities become limited at home, capital seeks new markets, cheaper labour, raw materials, and avenues for investment abroad. This leads to economic domination of weaker nations, political interference, control over resources, and rivalry among powerful states. According to Lenin, imperialism is not simply a policy choice; it is a structural and inevitable outcome of advanced capitalism.
More than a century later, Lenin’s analysis remains relevant for understanding global inequality, neo-colonialism, economic dependence, resource wars, and international conflicts. It helps explain how economic power is often transformed into political and strategic influence on a global scale.
In simple terms, imperialism is capitalism’s relentless drive to expand beyond national borders in search of profits, markets, resources, and power.
Dr. Santosh Kumar Mohapatra
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