Introduction
In an era of globalization, multiple citizenship is often celebrated as a symbol of cosmopolitanism. However, beneath this veneer lies a troubling reality: it perpetuates colonialist structures, undermines democratic integrity, and consolidates power among a transnational elite. This article examines how modern colonial territories, foreign military dominance, and debt dependency sustain neocolonialism, while Western “democracy” indices whitewash systemic oppression. From the Chagos Islands to Puerto Rico, and from Indigenous struggles in settler-states like Israel and Australia to the debt traps of the Global South, we unveil the enduring legacy of exploitation.
Modern Colonial Territories: The Unseen Empires
1. Chagos Islands & Diego Garcia
The UK’s forcible expulsion of Chagossians in the 1960s to lease Diego Garcia to the U.S. military epitomizes ongoing colonialism. Despite a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling deeming British control illegal, the U.S. base remains operational, displacing Indigenous people for geopolitical gain.
2. U.S. Overseas Territories
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are unincorporated territories with limited self-governance. Puerto Ricans, denied full voting rights, endure austerity imposed by a U.S.-appointed fiscal board, while Guam hosts critical military bases that prioritize strategic interests over local sovereignty.
3. French & British Overseas Territories
France’s control over French Polynesia and Martinique, and Britain’s hold over Gibraltar and the Falklands, replicate colonial dynamics. These territories lack representation in national legislatures yet serve as military outposts and resource hubs for their “parent” states.
4. Israel’s Settler Colonialism
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, illegal settlements, and apartheid-like policies reflect a modern settler-colonial project. Millions of Palestinians live under military rule, denied basic rights, while Israel markets itself as a democracy—a hypocrisy mirrored in Western indices.
Settler-States and Internal Colonialism
1. United States & Canada
Despite “post-colonial” labels, both nations perpetuate internal colonialism through systemic neglect of Native Americans and First Nations. Pipeline projects like Dakota Access violate treaty rights, while reserves face underfunded healthcare and education.
2. Australia & New Zealand
Australia’s destruction of Aboriginal sacred sites (e.g., Juukan Gorge) and New Zealand’s marginalization of the Māori reveal ongoing cultural erasure. Indigenous incarceration rates and land dispossession underscore the myth of multicultural democracy.
Neocolonialism: Debt and Foreign Military Dominance
1. Debt as a Tool of Control
- Greece endured brutal EU-imposed austerity during its debt crisis, stripping public assets for creditor profits.
- Puerto Rico’s debt crisis led to privatization of utilities and education, benefiting U.S. hedge funds over citizens.
- Global South Nations like Zambia and Sri Lanka face Chinese BRI debt traps, echoing Western extractive practices.
2. Foreign Military Bases: Sovereignty Undermined
- Honduras & Philippines host U.S. bases that entrench dependency, often overriding local environmental and social concerns.
- Japan & South Korea, despite wealth, remain half-colonies with significant U.S. troop presence, limiting independent foreign policy.
- Iceland & Costa Rica, lacking militaries, rely on NATO/U.S. for defense, compromising political autonomy.
The Democracy Deception: Western Indices and Complicity
Freedom House and the Economist Democracy Index glorify Western states while ignoring colonial practices:
- France scores highly despite exploiting Francophone Africa via the CFA franc and military interventions (e.g., Mali).
- The U.S. ranks as a “full democracy” while Puerto Ricans lack voting rights and Indigenous water protectors face repression.
- Australia touts press freedom but silences whistleblowers exposing abuses in offshore detention centers.
Elite Citizenship: The Musk Paradigm
Elon Musk (South Africa, Canada, U.S.) exemplifies how multiple citizenship enables colonial-style exploitation. Tesla’s lithium sourcing in Bolivia—where Indigenous communities resist mining—echoes historic resource grabs. SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, backed by U.S. contracts, extend corporate control over global communication, sidelining Global South nations.
Conclusion: Dismantling Colonial Power Structures
To dismantle neocolonialism, we must:
- End Territorial Colonialism: Restore sovereignty to Chagos, Puerto Rico, and Palestine.
- Redefine Citizenship: Base rights on residency and contribution, not capital.
- Overhaul Democracy Metrics: Include colonial violence, Indigenous rights, and debt inequality in assessments.
- Support Grassroots Movements: Amplify Indigenous land defenders and anti-austerity campaigns.
Call to Action
- Boycott corporations profiting from occupied lands (e.g., HP in Israel, Tesla in Bolivia).
- Demand Western states withdraw military bases and cancel predatory debts.
- Advocate for UN reforms to penalize neocolonial practices.
The fight against colonialism is not a relic of history but a current struggle—one that demands we confront the elite’s passport privileges and the West’s democratic façade. Only then can we forge a future rooted in justice, not extraction.