The document discusses whether supranational alliances are imperialistic in nature. It provides several examples of supranational alliances such as the European Union, United Nations, NATO, and NAFTA to analyze their functions and behaviors. The author argues that these alliances have exhibited imperialistic tendencies such as restricting member states' sovereignty, prioritizing the interests of more powerful members, and exploiting less developed countries for economic gain. While supranational organizations aim to foster cooperation, their pursuit of power and influence often leads them to act in imperialistic ways.

1. Supranational Union
Ashutosh Goel (Student Aravali) | IH | September 3, 2016
Supranational Alliances &
Imperialism
INTEGRATED HUMANITIES

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The side that I am going to stick with is going to be, that supranational alliances are
imperialist in nature. A policy of extending a country's power and influence through
colonization, use of military force, or other means, is the definition of imperialism.
Supranational alliances are global entities encompassing of member states with a
common goal and target. These major states are usually capitalist in nature. A person who
uses their wealth to invest in trade and industry for profit in accordance with the
principles of capitalism.
This connection
between
capitalism and
supranational has
given rise to
questions on the
nature of
supranational
alliances. Are
they created to

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2
solve people’s problems or to establish a global and
unified system of power? This is a rhetoric question
asked by many of the journalists. Taking into the
account the present day situation, we can only answer
this question by looking at what the different
supranational alliances have managed to achieve
along with what they haven’t, because this would give
us the exact achievements by the alliances.
Increasing global co-operation between
member states in supranational alliances has resulted
in the yielding a part of their rule and sovereignty and some of their functions. Thus, the
globalization of power takes place. World War one could be an example, but in, World
War 1 alliances had a very different method of functioning than today’s multinational co-
operations. In WW1, the member states cared for their fellow members and preserved their
rule and sovereignty and did not lose it. But of course, the scenario now is very different.
If we look at the situation now, or take an example from the present day, the first thing that
comes in our mind is the European Union. The European union is imperialistic in nature
that has caused a lot of discontent and has destabilized the Eurozone. This dominant
attitude of the EU challenges its theory on supranational and multinational co-operation,
which aims in, growing economically, and proving free trade, with the European Union.
The EU or also known as European Union is a good example of imperialism mixed
with capitalism. It questions the fact that capitalist expansion is transnational, multinational
and international.
The United Nations or the UN is a major supranational alliance with the primary
motive of ensuring worldwide peace and co-operation amongst member states. The
decision making power of the UN however is very different internally. The UN is like an
open platform for diplomacy and peacekeeping. It is governed by the main imperial powers

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and can only act when these powers agree. Thus there is a conflict in decision making and
many important resolutions are lost in the process. In the General Assembly of the United
Nations, all nations get one vote and again a large no. of resolutions and promises of major
nations are passed against their will. The UN aims in proving world peace, by signing peace
treaties, and by applying peacekeeping forces, where there is a need. Furthermore, records
of the UN suggest that it unambiguously acts like an honest party for maintaining peace
and réconciliation, it follows interests of the main powers. This evidence clearly states that
the UN is an abundance of diplomacy and this quality is not good for such a crucial
organization.
The UN could only make a meaningful difference if it could somehow develop a
broader & peaceful consensus on the major problems of world relations. But this cannot
happen since it is on key interests that the powers
must collide. Therefore, the imperialistic behavior of
the UN has given birth to a lot of liabilities in terms
of international growth.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is
a military supranational alliance whose main purpose
is to provide aid and support to a member nation in
case it is
attacked by an enemy. This alliance too has adopted
imperialism and has faced a lot of criticism
worldwide. Many have even questioned its existence
as to whether or not it is the NATO which was formed
in 1949. The United States urged NATO to expand
its territory worldwide at the cost of public services.
The US forced NATO to become an expansionist
entity and becoming a NATO member proves to
be profitable for U.S.-Israeli weapon industries and arm dealers. The US has used
NATO to fuel imperialist domination of the globe through its militarism, including

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the establishment of U.S. military
bases in strategicareas of the world.
Thus The transformation of NATO
into a tool of U.S. imperialism is
endangering the survival of the
planet.
Another very good and strong
example of an imperialistic
supranational alliance is NAFTA
(North American Free Trade Agreement). While its free trade agreements protected
national economic prosperity and democracy, its imperialism threatened economies at the
global level. Free trade permitted the United States to exploit the resources of less
developed countries in order to advance the American economy. This gave them the access
to trading zones that were once limited but all this was at the expense of the host country.
Although NAFTA was successful in stabilizing the economy of the United States, it failed
to recognize the right of other nations to do the same. It is also said NAFTA obstructed and
delayed the ability of developing countries to gain momentum in economic growth and
democracy which the US claim to defend.

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Reflecting from the above examples, one now can clearly see that supranational
alliances are imperialistic in
nature and it is clearly bad
for them in several different
ways. Countries like the UK
held a referendum and took
the opinion of the people on
whether they should remain
in the EU. More than half
voted out and thus the
“Brexit” (Britain’s exit from
the EU) took place. This
decision was crucial for
Britain as it was tightly
suppressed by the clutches of the EU. Its heavy taxations and regulations virtually
controlled every aspect in the lives of the people. Its motive to establish free trade overseas
was out of the picture. Therefore, keeping the above example in mind, the influence of
imperialism on a supranational alliance can drastically change its course from international
co-operation towards disputes and discontent. This will further lead to conflicts on a
regional scale and inevitably it can turn into a global problem.
Thus it is necessary for supranational alliances to not “restrict” their member states
but support their economic growth and stability. The above examples talked about how
supranational alliances functioned and some way or the other, the element of imperialism
was still present. One way or another, supranational organizations are tempted by power
and influence and they fall into the hands of imperialism. Therefore, it is very safe to say
that supranational alliances are imperialistic in nature.
In the end I would conclude by saying that we need supranational alliances, which
are imperialistic in nature, as it helps maintain peace and quality between nations.

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MLA Citations
 Morley, D. Morley, Daniel. "The United Nations:A Tool Of Imperialism".In
Defence of Marxism. N. p., 2016. Web. 4 Sept. 2016.
 KAMPRAGKOS, C.KAMPRAGKOS, Chrysovalantis. "A Global And Unified
System Of Power?". Mémoire(s), identité(s), marginalité(s) dans le monde
occidental contemporain. Cahiers du MIMMOC 14 (2015):. Web. 4 Sept.
2016.
 NAFTA is the New Imperialism: Securing American Economic Prosperity at
the Cost of Global Social Welfare "NAFTA Is The New Imperialism:
Securing American Economic Prosperity At The Cost Of Global Social
Welfare". Jessica's Works. N. p., 2011. Web. 4 Sept. 2016.
 NATO: A Tool Of U.S. Imperialism By Ghali Hassan
"NATO: A Tool Of U.S. Imperialism By Ghali Hassan". Countercurrents.org.
N. p., 2016. Web. 4 Sept. 2016.
 Imperialism of the European Union
"Imperialism Of The European Union".Blueridgejournal.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 4
Sept. 2016.