21st century colonialism?

What if Britain, France, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium remained colonial powers until circa 2000AD? Firstly, how is this possible, and secondly would the modern day Third World be any better off with an extra fifty years of European rule?
 
corportism is the new colonialism...this guys use there influince in powerful countrys to squeeze weaker countrys
it just shape shifted
however considering that the portigusse empire had pretty much won there colonial wars (minus guinia) and had granted africans politial rights it would be intresting to see f the 75 revolution was less tumultious and the empire was maintained.......maybe a libralization in the 50's 60's and increased democracy in the mother country...

the portugese were unique amogst the colonia powers in that they actually ENCURAGED breeding between europeans and natives to create a BRONZE race
 
I think that an extra fifty years of European rule would be hard on the Europeans politically. This means that they would resort to more authoritarian tactics to remain in power, probably to the disgust of the rest of the world.

As for the colonies themselves, I imagine a far more militant and violent series of independence and revolutionary movements that would resort to way more brutal ways of achieving their goals. Let's say that India and Pakistan are already independent (gaining independence about 15 years before most of Africa ). I could see them supporting various independence movements, perhaps in arms and volunteers.
 
After WW2, where a certain predominantly non-white nation captured many european colonies, it was clear to all that Europe could not adequately defend its colonies. Add the US policy of self-determination (as long as it didn't involve communism), and victorian style colonialism is doomed.

We still have other kinds of imperialism though, such as Soviet one in east europe (pretty direct imperialism) and a more subtle form by the US in south america, and middle east.
 

HJ Tulp

Donor
If the US wouldn;t have been so fundamentalistic against 'overseas territory' there is a chance that the Europeans win their colonial wars after which they could grant limited independence on their terms. Like the plans for the Commonwealth, the Unie Francophone and the Koninkrijk der Nederlanden. The situation pre-1939 couldn't be maintained but there would still be empires. And yes, the Third World would be WAY better off.
 
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