In my view the theory of sub-imperialism is theoretically mistaken. I
have dealt with this issue on various occasions. Here are two contributions.
**
*Semi-Colonial Intermediate Powers and the Theory of Sub-Imperialism*
*/A contribution to an ongoing debate amongst Marxists and a proposal to
tackle a theoretical problem/*
/By Michael Pröbsting, RCIT//, 1 August 2019/
Lenin once noted “/that the role of vanguard fighter can be fulfilled
only by a party that is guided by the most advanced theory./“In order to
fulfil such a role Marxists have to constantly review their theoretical
arsenal and, if necessary, develop it further.In the recent period, the
theory of sub-imperialism has become increasingly fashionable among
Marxists. The notion of “sub-imperialist” has been used to characterize
such diverse various states as China, Russia, Brazil, India, South
Africa, Iran, Greece and Turkey.
Read more at
https://www.thecommunists.net/theory/semi-colonial-intermediate-powers-and-the-theory-of-sub-imperialism/
*Imperialism: ‘Antagonistic cooperation’ or antagonistic contradictions?
A reply to Promise Li*
ByMichael Pröbsting
This essay has been published online by "/LINKS/" (Links International
Journal of Socialist Renewal) on25 January 2025,
https://links.org.au/imperialism-antagonistic-cooperation-or-antagonistic-contradictions-reply-promise-li
Am 27.08.2026 um 20:27 schrieb Marv Gandall via groups.io:
Thanks, Patrick. At bottom, I view the the theoretical debate about
“subimperialism" - in which you, John Smith, David Harvey, Walter
Daum, and Sam King have been prominent - as reducible to a debate
about the BRICs as reducible to a debate about Russia and China as
reducible to whether the latter are subimperialist or imperialist
powers and as reducible finally to whether they or US imperialism
bears ultimate responsibility for the conflicts on their respective
land and sea borders. This is an ongoing discussion on the Marxist
left in which both sides are entrenched.
A minor correction: I did not claim that "the subimperial sites of
capitalism had 'empires'." My reference was to the contending
imperialist powers during Lenin's time which all occupied territory
more or less walled off for exclusive exploitation by their own
overseas companies.
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