Indirect control of a country through economic or political pressure describes which term?

• A. Hegemony
• B. Neocolonialism
• C. Imperialism
• D. Dependency

Answer: (B)

Indirect control of a country through economic or political pressure is neocolonialism. This term captures how a more powerful state or actor can shape the policies and direction of a less powerful country without formal political rule, using tools like debt, trade terms, aid conditions, sanctions, and the influence of multinational corporations. The essence is coercive influence exercised without colonizing, which fits the description perfectly.

Imperialism involves direct political or territorial domination, so it’s not about indirect pressure. Hegemony refers to overarching leadership or influence—often cultural or ideological—rather than the specific mechanism of coercive leverage. Dependency highlights a relationship of economic reliance, which can enable such influence but doesn’t itself specify the coercive mechanism described.