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Resources to dispel Russia and China imperialism myths? (hexbear.net)

submitted 3 months ago by starkillerfish@hexbear.net to c/asklemmygrad@lemmygrad.ml

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cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/6792069

I've been running into this conversation quite a few times recently with fellow organizers: that China and Russia are imperialist powers because they are expansionist. While I understand in my brain why this is not the case, it is difficult for me to argue the case. I wonder if there are any useful (and short) analyses / frameworks I can use in a conversation, because I start losing people when I get too into depth in theory.

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[–] starkillerfish@hexbear.net 5 points 3 months ago

I know it's sisyphean talking to western leftists and even newbie commies but. god. why is it so common for people's understanding of imperialism being, like, aesthetic. Imperialism is when bigger country does anything with/to another smaller country. By virtue of power imbalance, there wasn't real consent it means the smaller party was coerced. Expansionism means not just territory acquisition it also means spreading influence and making allies. It's frankly absurd.

usually my brain just short circuits when these "points" are brought up. i dont know how to approach such oversimplifications. thank you for the website link btw, it looks super nice!