No.26: System comparison: Colonialism vs Electric Technocracy
- Mike Miller
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7
„Colonialism – The Global Architecture of Inequality"
I. Definition: What is Colonialism?
Colonialism is a historical-political system of foreign domination, in which powerful nations—mostly European empires—violently subjugate, control, and economically exploit other peoples and territories. It is not only about land, but also about resources, labor, cultural dominance, and strategic power projection.
II. Forms of Colonialism
Settler Colonialism: Relocation of the colonizer's own population, e.g., in North America, Australia
Exploitation Colonialism: Extraction of resources without long-term integration (e.g., Belgian Congo)
Missionary Colonialism: Religious conversion overlaid with political and economic control
Neo-Colonialism: Modern dependency through debt, investments, trade conditions, and military bases
III. Main Points of Criticism
Systematic Disenfranchisement
Subjugated populations lost all political and cultural rights—their way of life was delegitimized, their languages suppressed, their cultures destroyed
Extractive Economy
Colonies were economically drained: gold, ivory, cotton, cocoa, oil—nearly all raw materials flowed to the metropoles. Entire regions were impoverished permanently
Racism as Ideology
Colonialism was justified through the supposed “civilizational superiority” of the colonizers. This thinking persists today—in policing, education, art, and global politics
Violence and Genocide
Millions died due to forced labor, war, and hunger policies. Example: Congo under Belgium—estimates suggest 10 million deaths
IV. Historical Examples
British Empire: India was economically drained, culture suppressed, millions died in artificially induced famines
German Colonialism in Namibia: The first genocide of the 20th century—against the Herero and Nama
French Colonialism in Algeria: 132 years of occupation, brutal repression, millions died in the independence war
Belgian Congo (1885–1908): Private colonial empire of King Leopold II—a reign of terror marked by forced labor and amputations
V. Lasting Effects to This Day
Borders: Arbitrary colonial boundaries continue to fuel civil wars
Economic Dependency: Raw material exports, debt traps, IMF dictates
Cultural Displacement: Missionizing, language loss, identity crises
Racism: The “white gaze” still shapes global power dynamics
VI. Why Colonialism Loses to Electronic Technocracy
Colonialism | Electronic Technocracy |
Exploitation through violence | Solidary resource distribution |
Racist ideology of rule | Equality through algorithmic neutrality |
Authoritarian administration | Decentralized, transparent participation |
Historical trauma | Future-oriented reconciliation & justice |
VII. Conclusion
Colonialism was not a “civilizing mission,” but an organized crime against humanity. Its violent legacy is still evident in today’s global order. Its extremes—from land theft to ethnic segregation—make clear that any societal model built on power imbalances is ultimately destructive.
In contrast, Electronic Technocracy offers a historic opportunity to redistribute power—not along geographic, economic, or ethnic lines, but based on knowledge, transparency, ethics, and planetary responsibility.
Wikipedia Links
Deutsch
English
PoliticalWiki: Electric Technocracy
Elektrische Technokratie Podcast & Song
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