Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success

Neo-colonialism refers to the continued exploitation and dependency of peripheral nations on core countries, particularly after these peripheral nations have gained formal independence. This concept highlights that while countries may have achieved political sovereignty, they often remain economically and culturally subservient to more powerful nations through mechanisms such as foreign investment, trade imbalances, and international debt.

In the global context, neo-colonialism manifests in various ways, such as multinational corporations dominating local economies, the influence of international financial institutions dictating policies in developing countries, and the persistence of unequal power dynamics rooted in historical colonial relationships. This ongoing dependency reinforces the inequalities established during the colonial period, as peripheral nations may struggle to break free from the structural constraints imposed by core nations. The focus on economic and cultural dimensions makes this concept critical to understanding contemporary global relations.