A Structural Theory of Imperialism

Abstract

Galtung develops a theory of imperialism to account for inequality within and between nations and the resistance of this inequality to change. He distinguishes between Centre and Periphery and argues that those in power in the former have a community of interest with those in power in the latter. The result is a relationship which operates at the expense of the majority of the people in the Peripheral countries, but which is largely in the interest of the majority of the people in Centre countries. Two mechanisms of imperialism are defined. One is the pattern of vertical interaction whereby the dominating nation enriches itself as a result of the interaction process. The second mechanism is the feudal interaction structure whereby the dominated nations in the periphery are kept apart.

Keywords

Imperialism, Center, Periphery, harmony of interest, disharmony of interest

Citation

Galtung, Johan, “A Structural Theory of Imperialism”, International Relations, Volume 1, Issue 2 (Summer 2004), pp. 25-46.

Affiliations

• Johan Galtung, International Peace Research Institute, University of Oslo