In addition, the people of many colonies demanded and won independence. Today, a few scattered territories, mostly islands in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, are all that remain. However, the United States and other world powers still give economic and military assistance to former colonies. Some critics call this aid a form of imperialism. They say it can lead to indirect control of a nation's politics and economy.
Many theories attempt to explain the motives for imperialism.
One of the best-known theories focuses on economic profit as the chief reason for a nation to seek foreign territories. Industrialized nations can produce more manufactured goods than their people need or can afford to buy. Colonies may serve as markets for these unsold products. They also may provide cheap land, valuable natural resources, and investment opportunities for surplus capital. However, this theory does not fully explain imperialism because many colonies were not economically profitable.