Today there are few Empires or Imperialist nations in the world. Globalization is aimed at uniting markets and economies in ways that promote trade over warfare among nations. Despite this process, in The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New World Order, Parag Khanna comes to following conclusion, "the world is now dominated by three great empires, those of America, China, and the European Union (EU)" (Empires 109). Khanna (109) maintains that the influence of America, China, and the EU is shaping the world, but there are sharp distinctions: "China is rising but problematic; America is declining, incompetent and arrogant, and the EU is rather more powerful than many proud Europeans think." This analysis will discuss America and China's imperialism and how it threatens equality and human rights.
China has been an Empire for thousands of years, but the "People's Republic of China (PRC)" controls Tibet, Xinjiang, inner Mongolia, and maintains territorial claims over Taiwan. This control makes China imperialistic and outrage over efforts to quash resistance in these areas is considerable. As one political observer notes, "Tibet is an area of strategic importance of China, along with Burma or Darfur, where Chinese interests are protected and defended by local regimes with the use of systematic repression" (Tibet 1). Many argue that China has been trying to wrest such imperialist control in Africa for years as well. These forms of actions have erupted in massive protests the world over related to the 2008 Olympics (being held in Beijing), because of human rights abuses and in defense of equality for the oppressed.
The U.S. is more subtle in its imperialism, but many view the Iraq War as a primary example of American imperialism and empire. The U.S. invaded Iraq under what it is "first attempt at a grand strategy since the end of the war...the Bush Doctrine," developed in response to terroris...