History offers us a valuable mirror to understand current dynamics and highlight recurring patterns. A reflection on the role of imperialism in southern nations, such as South Africa, reveals striking similarities with historical events such as the coup against Chilean President Salvador Allende in 1973.
Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has undertaken a complex transition towards a more liberal economy, but this shift has often come at the expense of the population. Dominant economic interests, often driven by external actors, exacerbate inequalities and undermine the public good.
President Allende’s speech to the United Nations in 1972 testifies to the struggles against an insidious imperialism that deprives citizens of their voice in crucial economic decisions. This progressive disconnect between economic decisions and public debate reinforces inequalities and weakens the democratic sphere.
In this context, the language used to describe economic policies is essential. Terms such as “nationalization” are replaced by concepts like “expropriation”, while human rights become a pretext to justify economic interference by former colonial powers.
This trend towards economic deterritorialization is also observed through international mechanisms which aim to separate the economic interests of States and populations. These approaches, whether legal or informal, strengthen the influence of external capital on national policies.
The example of Chile under Salvador Allende illustrates this pattern of economic subversion. His radical reforms sparked internal and external opposition, ultimately leading to a US-backed coup. The rest of history has shown how this reversal favored greater economic dependence and the exploitation of Chilean resources by multinationals, thus contributing to the perpetuation of imperialism.
For the nations of the South, it is no longer the time of armed conquests, but of insidious economic and diplomatic pressures which perpetuate inequalities and reinforce external interference. Understanding these complex mechanisms is essential to promoting equitable and democratic economic policies, thus preserving the sovereignty of people in the face of continued imperialist interests.