arras

When I wrote in several other posts that Slovakia and all post-socialistic countries became colonies of Western Europe and America after collapse of USSR and that they went from being subordinated to Moscow to being subordinated to Washington and Brussels -basically exchanging one overlord for another I get sceptic responses from our Western members.

Here is American economist explaining better than I ever could how and why is Eastern Europe just colony of the West in economic sphere (political is something else but politics is basically just extension or superstructure of economy). He speaks specifically abut Latvia but that is just more extreme example of how it works elsewhere:

dagul

Not a colony in the true sense of the word, but when it comes to sphere of influence it seems that you are correct about it, Arras.

arras

Well not in sense of classical colonialism, that is true. Not kind Philippines went true in their history since 16th ct up basically to 20st. Rather in sense of what was after WWII called neo-colonialism when money replaced bullets and white collars replaced uniforms.

dagul

If that is the kind of parameter, then what you are stating about the situation of Eastern Europe is correct, because the sphere of influence over it that starts with pop culture to more serious economic situation like the currency power of the Euro and Dollar against Eastern European currencies is definitely Western dominated.

Ficino

And the domination is exercised mainly by some limited groups of more or less various financial and economic interests, which care for their own people just as for a tool for maintaining their power and privileges. Under this aspect, the fact that they are "Western" or not is absolutely irrelevant. They are just gangs of charlatans and swindlers who profit from the ratters, naivety and indolence everywhere.

arras

Yes, I very much agree. When I said "West" I did not mean ordinary people living in say Germany, Britain or USA. What I mean are people who control those countries and who use them to promote their very own interests.

Sargon of Akkad

That video just crashes my browser.

mofli87

there has never been a power vacuum in Earth since the beginning of history.
And beause of eastern Eu (excluding Russia) is weak since the begining of 20. century (no capital, no strong countries, no military power) it became obviously a sphere of influence of a greatpower (or greatpowers).

But if I must choose an "empire" I would prefer the western democracies rather then Russia/China/ an Islamic greatpower or another potential "conqueror"

arras

Oh Sargon, will you finally upgrade your Internet Explorer version 0.23 to something less obsolete?

Try this link, may be it will help: https://www.google.sk/#hl=sk&output=...w=1680&bih=895

arras

Sure, but why then not to name situation its proper name? How many people know we are basically a colony? We knew back in Soviet times. We might not be able to alter it but we sure can protect us somehow better against exploitation. But for that to happen we first have to know we are being exploited. People see misery all around and nothing been changed for the better. They have to know reason why it is like that only then they will get chance to do something about it.