Ecological Imperialism

Similar to “imperialism,” ecological imperialism concerns the deliberate act of expanding power, control, and authority by one country over areas located outside its borders—areas that become part of the empire. Whether referring to direct rule, indirect economic control, or ideological or cultural domination, and whether applied to the ancient or modern worlds, imperialism involves the conquest of the powerful over the less fortunate for gains in land, resources, and/or some form of tribute. Ecological imperialism, however, extends understanding of imperialism to include ecological factors for explaining the successful conquest of empires and the demise of the conquered. The phrase is also used to help explain the eventual decline of empires as a result of dismissing the ecological constraints of imperial expansion. Concurrently, ecological imperialism often ...