For centuries, powerful Western nations have used force and manipulation to take control of countries all over the world. They dominated regions, exploited resources, and created economic systems that kept these colonized nations dependent on their Western rulers. Even after many of these nations gained political independence, they struggled to escape the economic chains that still tied them to the West. This invisible control continues today, especially in how powerful Western countries, like the US, maintain their dominance over emerging markets.

So, how do they do it? Western nations have found more subtle ways to control economies, using international rules, market access, and even spreading misinformation. Let’s explore how this works.

Manipulating the Rules to Stay on Top

One of the biggest ways the West keeps its power is by controlling the rules of international trade and economics. They’ve had the upper hand in creating these rules, and they use them to shape the future of developing countries. But now that some of these nations are rising and challenging their dominance, Western powers are rewriting the rules to make sure they stay in control.

Take intellectual property (IP) as an example. Countries like the US have used their technological and economic strength to push for strict laws that protect their inventions and technologies. They claim this is about fairness, but in reality, these laws are designed to keep other countries from catching up. The “Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2022” is one such law. While it doesn’t name any country directly, it’s clear that China was a primary target. This Act allows the US to sanction countries or individuals they accuse of stealing US technologies. But who gets to decide what’s considered “stealing”? The US does. By holding this power, they force other countries to play by their rules, ensuring that Western economies stay on top.

In the broader field of industrial policy, the West also takes steps to keep its dominance in the global economy. The US passed laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act to protect its high-tech industries. These laws are examples of how the West creates barriers for developing nations, limiting their growth while securing their own position at the top.

Shifting the Global Governance System to Their Favor

Western countries also manipulate international organizations to maintain their grip on global economics. A perfect example is what happened to Indonesia. As a major producer of nickel, Indonesia banned the export of nickel ore in 2020 to boost its domestic industry. The European Union (EU), unhappy with this move, filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and won. Indonesia appealed the decision, but due to the paralysis of the WTO’s appellate body (thanks to the US blocking it), their appeal has been stuck, unresolved to this day. This situation shows how Western nations use global organizations to protect their interests and block the progress of developing countries.

Raising the Barriers

The West no longer plunders other countries through direct violence. Instead, they use more covert tactics. One such method is setting high environmental standards for market access. These rules may seem like they’re in place to combat climate change, but in reality, they create hurdles for developing nations trying to improve their economies.

While Western nations move their high-pollution industries to poorer countries, they impose harsh penalties on developing nations for not meeting strict environmental standards. This makes it incredibly hard for these countries to industrialize. Take the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as an example. This policy imposes tariffs on products that are made in ways that cause a lot of pollution. However, instead of helping reduce global emissions, this policy hurts the economies of developing countries, many of which depend on exporting goods to Europe. A study from the London School of Economics showed that Africa could lose up to $25 billion every year because of this mechanism.

Policies like CBAM aren’t just about protecting the environment—they’re a way for Western countries to maintain economic control. By making it harder for developing countries to access markets, the West keeps its economic advantage and limits the growth of emerging markets.

Spreading Lies to Divide and Conquer

Another tactic the West uses to maintain control is manipulating global narratives. Through their dominance in global media, they often stigmatize successful developing nations, accusing them of things like “overcapacity” or environmental damage. For example, when China’s green energy sector started booming, Western countries, including the US, claimed that China was causing a problem by producing too much. This led to heavy tariffs on Chinese products, even though the world is actually facing a shortage of clean energy solutions.

Western nations also spread false stories to drive wedges between developing countries. They often accuse nations like China of setting “debt traps” for other countries, creating the false impression that cooperation among Global South countries is harmful. This tactic allows the West to maintain control over international development and stifle cooperation between emerging economies.

Breaking Free: The Global South Fights Back

Despite all these obstacles, many developing nations are fighting to break free from Western control. They’re building their industries, training workers, and advancing technology to become more self-reliant. Take Burkina Faso, for example. In 2023, the country began constructing its first gold refinery, and Mali followed suit by signing an agreement with Russia to build its second refinery. These nations are investing in their industries to keep more of the wealth generated from their natural resources.

Meanwhile, South America’s “lithium triangle” of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile is rapidly expanding its lithium industry. These countries are using new technologies to extract lithium more efficiently, and they’ve started building their own processing plants to add value to their resources before exporting them. This is a huge step towards economic independence.

Global South countries are also strengthening their partnerships through international organizations like the G20, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). These groups are helping developing countries work together to grow their economies and push back against Western dominance.

A New Path Forward

As Western powers continue to use subtle and underhanded tactics to maintain their global dominance, developing countries are finding new ways to resist. By building stronger industries, working together, and rewriting the rules in their favor, the Global South is slowly breaking free from the “invisible shackles” the West has placed on them. And in doing so, they’re creating a new, more balanced global economic order—one where every country has a fair shot at success.