September-October 2023 Issue: Director’s Letter:

 

Neoliberalism and Neocolonialism:

 

Unveiling the Connections

to the Ukraine War and the Coup in Niger

 

 John Pellam, President & Director

The Bibliotheque: World Wide Society

and the Institute for Positive Global Solutions

 

 

Link for Citation Purposes: https://bwwsociety.org/journal/current/2023/sep-oct/letter.htm

 

 

The Ukraine War and the recent coup in Niger both serve as stark reminders of the complex interplay between Neoliberalism, neocolonialism, and geopolitical tensions. It is essential to understand the underlying economic and political dynamics that contributed to these events. This article aims to shed light on the connections between Neoliberalism, neocolonialism, and their role in shaping these conflicts.

 

Understanding Neoliberalism:

 

Neoliberalism is an economic ideology that advocates for free-market capitalism, deregulation, and privatization. It gained momentum in the late 20th-century and continues to shape global economics today. Neoliberal policies often prioritize market forces, wealth accumulation, and austerity measures.

 

Neocolonialism is a term used to describe the indirect continuation of colonial domination in newly independent states. It encompasses various economic, political, and cultural practices through which powerful nations maintain control over weaker states. Neocolonialism perpetuates socio-economic disparities, dependence, and exploitation.

 

The Ukraine War:

 

Examining the Ukraine War, we witness how neoliberal policies contributed to the conflict's escalation. The European Union (EU) sought to expand its influence through economic integration, promoting free trade and market liberalization. This attracted Ukraine, but also sparked tensions between Russia and the EU. Likewise, NATO's push to the East, which the Western nations promised in 1991 would not happen, has been relentless and intends to expand all the way to Russia's borders. As President Kennedy was prepared for war in October 1962 when the Soviet Union was installing missiles in Cuba just 70 miles off America's shore, in 2022 President Putin was equally prepared for war when Russia's safe zone was threatened.

 

As Ukraine pursued closer ties to the EU, it was met with resistance from Russia, which saw the EU's expansion as a threat to its geopolitical interests. The war in Ukraine can be seen as a struggle for influence between neoliberal ideologies represented by the EU and a more traditional power approach from Russia. It is also seen as a struggle of the old American uni-polar hegemony fighting for survival against the inevitable and far more equitable multi-polar world of the coming future.

 

Neocolonialism in Niger:

 

Turning our attention to Niger, we observe neocolonial dynamics at play. Niger's rich natural resources, particularly uranium, have attracted foreign corporations seeking access to strategic resources. Neoliberal economic policies have allowed these corporations to exploit Niger's resources, often to the detriment of its own population.

 

The recent coup in Niger and past political instabilities can be seen as a consequence of neocolonial exploitation. Foreign powers, driven by their economic interests, often support or perpetuate political instability, further entrenching their neocolonial influence.

 

The Interplay of Neoliberalism and Neocolonialism:

 

Neoliberal economic policies often serve as a catalyst for neocolonial exploitation. The emphasis on deregulation and privatization enables multinational corporations to extract resources and exploit cheap labor without facing significant obstacles. This perpetuates social and economic inequalities, creating fertile ground for geopolitical tensions and conflicts.

 

Conclusion:

The Ukraine War and the coup in Niger serve as vivid examples of the interconnectedness between Neoliberalism, neocolonialism, and geopolitical conflicts. Understanding these connections is crucial for creating a more just and equitable global order. Critical analysis of the roles played by these ideologies can help us work toward a future where economic, social, and political power is distributed more fairly, addressing the root causes of conflicts that shape our world.

 

A more equitable Multi-Polar World is on the horizon and it is unstoppable.

 


*      *      *      *      *

 

 

This issue begins with our Page One Feature Paper from the category of Foreign Interference and Residual Colonialism titled "The Looming Threat of an Africa-Wide War".

 

Still discussing Africa, our next paper is in the category of Western Neocolonialism: titled "The Contemporary Rape of Africa"

 

Next, from the category of Democracy & Justice In Name Only: we present the paper: "The Weaponization of Justice: Targeting Political Opponents for Prosecution"

 

The September-October 2023 issue concludes with a Commentary/Presentation by Iain Kirkaldy Willis in the category of AI & Machine Intelligence, titled "We Come Out of Everywhere Into Here".