What is the term for the process by which Western nations exert control over territories away from their home countries?

The correct term for the process by which Western nations exert control over territories away from their home countries is colonialism. This concept involves the establishment of a colony in one territory by a political power from another territory, often resulting in the colonizer exercising control over the land, resources, and the local population. Colonialism typically includes the settlement of the colonizers in the new territory and can lead to significant economic exploitation, cultural changes, and social restructuring in the colonized areas.

While imperialism is related and often overlaps with colonialism, it primarily refers to the broader policy or practice of extending a nation’s power and influence, which can occur through various means, including military force, economic pressure, and diplomacy. Globalization, on the other hand, describes the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations but does not focus specifically on control over territories. Assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often leading to a loss of original cultural identity, a concept not directly linked to the control of territories.