What does neocolonial mean?
Neocolonialism describes the persistence or reappearance of colonial-style power after formal independence. It commonly refers to economic domination, political influence, cultural control, or dependency maintained by another country, especially through multinational corporations, aid relationships, trade policies, or military alliances. The word often carries a critical connotation: an arrangement may be called neocolonial when it appears to preserve the priorities and influence of an earlier colonial power. Neocolonial can describe policies, relationships, institutions, or the agents who promote them. Because the term is politically loaded, it is often used in debate, historical analysis, and arguments about global inequality. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing formal legal independence from the possibility that older hierarchies of control continue to shape a country's economy and politics.
Of or relating to the continuation or revival of colonial power, influence, or economic control after formal independence.
"The delegation condemned what it described as neocolonial interference in the country's resources."
Common in political, economic, and historical criticism; often evaluative rather than neutral.
A person, group, or state that exercises or supports continued or revived colonial influence after formal independence.
"The novel portrays the foreign business owner as a neocolonial rather than a simple representative of a foreign government."
Less common than the adjective usage and usually used in explicitly critical contexts.
Used for multiple people characterized as neocolonialists or as agents of neocolonial power.
"The speaker accused several neocolonials of exploiting local workers."
A country can be independent on the map and still be subject to neocolonial influence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neocolonial come from?
Neocolonial combines the combining form neo-, from Greek, meaning new, with colonial, derived from Latin colonialis and ultimately from colere, meaning to cultivate or settle. The compound developed in the 20th century to describe the continuation of colonial relationships after independence. Its development reflects the historical use of colonial and colonialism, as well as related terms such as colony, colonize, and colonialism.
Related word forms
How neocolonial is actually used
The term is predominantly political and analytical, and is often used in criticism of foreign economic or political influence. It can be a polemical term, so the sense intended may depend on context and the speaker's perspective.
Easily confused with neocolonial
Postcolonial refers to the period, conditions, or culture after colonialism, whereas neocolonialism describes continued or revived colonial influence during that period.