Preview: Chapter 6 of Territorial Disputes in the Americas
Territorial Disputes in the Americas (released August 20, 2025) examines how global powers shape the continent’s conflicts. Chapter 6, “Neo-colonialism and Colonial Mindset,” explores the influence of central states like the United States, Russia, China, and India on territorial disputes, revealing neo-colonial practices and psychological legacies. As part of my 10-week chapter reveal series, this preview, grounded in my work, delves into the chapter’s key ideas. Uncover how external interference fuels disputes like the Mexico–US border and Essequibo, and join the discussion on peacebuilding.
Neo-colonialism and Colonial Mindset
Chapter 6 shifts focus from European colonial legacies (Chapters 4–5) to the ongoing influence of central states—United States, Russia, China, and India—in a multipolar world. These states exert direct (e.g., military, economic) and indirect (e.g., ideological, cultural) influence on American territorial disputes, often reflecting neo-colonialism (control through political, financial, or technical means) or a colonial mindset (psychological preconceptions rooted in colonial norms). The chapter applies the multidimensional approach, integrating agents (individuals, communities, states), players (hosts, participants, attendees, viewers), contexts (domestic, regional, international), realms (factual, normative, axiological), and modes of existence (ideal, natural, cultural, metaphysical) to reveal the complexity of these interferences.
Forms of Domination
Domination, defined as arbitrary power over others, manifests in territorial disputes through:
Colonialism: Historical control by European powers, ignoring local sovereignty.
Neo-colonialism: Modern control via political, financial, or military means, as seen in US interventions (e.g., Operation Condor) or China’s economic influence.
Colonial Mindset: Psychological legacies where local agents perceive themselves as subordinate, perpetuating dependency on external powers.
A multidimensional lens highlights tensions between legal sovereign equality (UN Charter, Art. 2.1) and realpolitik, where stronger states dominate weaker ones, skewing dispute dynamics.
Case Studies of External Influence
United States
The US exerts significant influence through government-led actions (e.g., Operation Condor supporting South American military regimes) and private corporations (e.g., United Fruit Company, Amazon). Disputes like the Mexico–US border, marked by migration crises and militarization, reflect neo-colonial control, despite no formal territorial dispute. Other cases, such as Guantanamo Bay, Bajo Nuevo, Serranilla Banks, and Navassa Island, show direct US involvement, often prioritizing geopolitical interests over local rights. The US engages regional organizations like the OAS to legitimize unilateral actions, balancing peacebuilding with blocking rival powers.
Russia
Russia’s influence, rooted in Soviet-era ties, includes support for regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Disputes like Essequibo (Guyana–Venezuela) and Bolivia–Chile (Pacific coast access) reflect Russian backing, often countering US interests. Russia’s role in ALBA and BRICS enhances its regional leverage, using ideological alignment to challenge Western dominance, as seen in its support for Argentina’s Falklands/Malvinas claims.
China
China’s growing presence involves economic investments, military collaboration, and soft power (e.g., CELAC engagement). Its influence in states like Venezuela and Bolivia, often through resource exploitation deals, competes with US interests. China’s rivalry with Taiwan further shapes its engagement, with countries like Panama and Honduras navigating Beijing’s and Taipei’s agendas. This neo-colonial approach risks creating center-periphery dependencies.
India
India’s influence, though less prominent, is rising through economic ties (e.g., MERCOSUR, BRICS) and historical solidarity against US interventions (e.g., Guatemala 1954, Falklands/Malvinas 1982). Unlike China’s government-led approach, India’s private sector drives engagement, emphasizing cooperation over domination. India supports resolving disputes like Falklands/Malvinas and advocates UNSC reform alongside Brazil.
Multidimensional Approach
The multidimensional approach reveals how pluralisms shape these disputes:
Agents and Players: Beyond states, indigenous communities, NGOs, and corporations (e.g., in the Amazon) play roles as participants or viewers. For instance, indigenous resistance to Chinese resource projects reflects opposition to neo-colonialism.
Contexts: Domestic instability (e.g., Venezuela’s economic crisis) invites external interference, while regional organizations (e.g., OAS, ALBA) mediate or amplify conflicts. International contexts, like great power competition, drive disputes like Essequibo.
Realms: Factual (e.g., resource wealth), normative (e.g., UNCLOS disputes), and axiological (e.g., choosing which agents are “advantaged”) realms highlight power imbalances. For example, the US’s normative dominance in the OAS contrasts with factual inequalities.
Modes of Existence: Ideal (e.g., ideologies like anti-US populism), natural (e.g., Amazon’s resources), cultural (e.g., nationalism), and metaphysical (e.g., decolonial theologies) elements fuel disputes. Nonlinear approaches reveal emotional drivers like nationalism in the Mexico–US border.
Toward Comprehensive Understanding
Chapter 6 argues that unidimensional analyses (e.g., legal titles) miss the broader impacts of external interference. A multidimensional view, incorporating linear (e.g., sovereign equality) and nonlinear (e.g., chaotic community alignments) perspectives, better captures the intricate interplay of domination, offering insights for peacebuilding.
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Explore more at https://drjorge.world with posts like “Neo-colonialism in the Americas” and “Falklands/Malvinas.” Follow my weekly reveals on X (#TerritorialDisputes) and share your thoughts. Order details below.
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Preview Chapter 7: Americans versus Americans– Covers intra-regional disputes (e.g., Guatemala-Belize, Venezuela-Guyana), including border and resource conflicts.
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