Book by Kwame Nkrumah, who coined the concept of neo-colonialism (with cover art from his iconic portrait photograph) (fair use)

(14) NEO-IMPERIALISM

In contemporary history or politics, imperialism is usually asserted to be neo-imperialism – informal rather than formal empire.

That is, former imperial powers (usually Western) are asserted to have maintained their imperialism beyond the end of their formal empires by simply substituting neo-colonialism or neo-imperialism, which leverages other forms of power or influence, typically economic power, rather than military force, into an informal empire, or means of control other than formal annexation or rule – and newer imperial powers just tend to start that way, skipping formal empire altogether.

Of course, neo-imperialism may still involve military force when it needs to, but generally neo-imperialism by definition proposes more subtle or indirect means of coercion or influence.

And of course, neo-imperialism can be a nebulous and vague concept, as virtually anything can be said to be neo-imperialism – or taken to extremes, where nations (and corporations) can’t do anything right, even between polar opposite policies or courses of action.

Damned (as neo-imperialist) if they do and damned (also at neo-imperialist) if they don’t, as it were.