Imperialismo y capitalismo: repensando una relación íntima

Abstract

The literature on imperialism suffers from a fundamental confusion surrounding the relationship between capitalism and imperialism. The aim of this work is to bring clarification. In the first part, we state our position regarding the capitalism-imperialism relationship; in the second, we discuss some important points in the marxist debate on imperialism; and in the third, we review the various paths imperialism has taken in Latin America under capitalist development. The central point of this work is the way that it places imperialism at the conjuncture of capitalist development, particularly extractive capitalism. This conjuncture is characterized by the decline of neoliberalism as an economic model; a growing demand for energy, minerals and other «natural» resources in the world market; and the political economy of the development of natural resources (large-scale investment to acquire lands and the natural resources they contain, the export of primary products). The key dynamic of what we call «imperialist extractivism» is analyzed in the South American context, which represents the most advanced, but regressive, form that capitalism has taken, so far, in the new milennium. Our analysis of this dynamic is summaried in 12 theses.