When I first think of the word colonization, I think of a group of people trying to establish or form a new colony so that they can settle and start a new life. So when I had to try to define and understand the word economic colonization, although I did not fully understand it at first after reading the article I found I believe that I have a better understanding of what it means. To help me try to understand what economic colonization meant searched for a reliable article and came across one in the New York Times titles, “Despite Crisis, Wealthy Russians Are Buying Up Coastal Montenegro”. The article talks about a town called BUDVA, which is located in Montenegro. The article talks about a bunch of rich Russian millionaires who are going around buying up land and properties around Montenegro. The men are investing millions of dollars into building hotels and condominiums. Although not all of the investments have been from Russia the article states that the majority of them did indeed come from there. Although some see Russia’s economic colonization as just a political move so that Russia can keep a close eye on them, many see the change as beneficial and that it will help their country
From this article the way that I understand economic colonization is that it is when a larger and more powerful country moves in to take over and to take on the responsibility for that smaller countries economy and making that small country dependent on that larger company. In a way this could be helpful and hurtful to the smaller country. It could help that small country grow and expand its economy by giving them a larger better-known name to work under. Also it may take away some of the problems with government and policies that they small country had before they were taken. But think could also lead to some negative affects as well, although they may get rid of their small problems they now are required to take on the much larger problems of the large country. And they now also have to live under the larger countries rules and government.
Economic colonization can help many small countries grow to be better, but they also take away that counties ability to survive on their own. It makes the countries that have been bought up by other larger countries more dependent on the large countries like Russia.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/world/europe/01balkans.html?scp=3&sq=economic%20colonization&st=cse
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i found what u said about the dependancy on the company/country very interesting and insightful. it reminds me about US involvement in the Vietnam War where South Vietnam was dependant on US aid to survive. when the US started backing off, southern vietnamese people were unwilling to help themselves because they had grown up used to US taking care of them and had grown dependant to this. so it is not surprising how only a few months after the US left South Vietnam, all its industries closed and nothing functioned and soon after it was taken over by the viet cong.
ReplyDeletehowever i think another idea about a negative would be that in many cases through out history, such as in China, larger nations and companies profited off the backs of the foreign peoples. in China, nations created thier own industries that flourished and helped the foreign nation and its peoples, yet was detrimental to the native peoples.
I feel as though it may be beneficial for the smaller country if wealthy Russians are investing in their lands. If the economy there is already faltering, these investemenst may draw more people to this country. An investment such as a hotel, would bring tourists. The smaller country can benefit from this. While yes, the wealthy Russians are benefitting from this as well, but the country will too. It may allow a chance for the smaller country to develop economically by getting involved in the tourism, and if so, be prepared for the withdrawal of the outside investements.
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be beneficial for a smaller country to be economically colonized by a powerful country if they truly will benefit from it and the more powerful country does it precisely and carefully. I feel that Russia will definitely benefit from colnizing in Monetengro but they need to respect the culture, traditions and economic situation that Montenegro currently has in order to make it a smooth transistion and have the locals adapt. A certain level of understanding and respect must be kept at all times in order to keep eveyrone in both countries happy.
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