From Marx to Lenin: The Spread and Changes of Imperialism
Usually, we regards Imperialism is the Advanced Stage of Capitalism as comprehensiveness and most scientific discuss about imperialism summarized by Marx. Lenin’s imperialism theory absorbed some Marxist’s theories and ideas, like Marx, Engels, Luxemburg, and Hilferding. Also, his idea is influenced by some non-Marxists like Hobson. We believe that it is necessary to clearly understand the spread and change of imperialism before discussing information imperialism.
In fact, Marx never put up with the concept “imperialism”. His contribution lies in his profound analysis on capitalism. In his analysis, Marx’s discuss about concentration of capital and colonial expansion is regarded as the origin of imperialism in the sight of Marxism. From the perspective of relations between labor class and capitalist class, Marx defined capitalism. In A. Brewer’s view, capitalism does not need a subordinative backward area or periphery thought it will utilize an existing area and benefit from it. Businessmen have been the medium of external relations of capitalism until the industrial revolution. But this kind communication mode did not change other societies that were included into world market. Once industrial capital stand in the dominant position, the conquer of capitalism can be achieved through capitalism industrialization and works in a barbarous but progressive way. The emergence and fast developing of European capitalism and its slow spread in Asia is the result of diversity of the mode of production. The domination in Europe is the result of the diversity, not the reason.