When does national self-defense become imperialism?

Imperialism means to take on vassal states. As in states which pay tribute to the imperial country. This would include the colonies under the British Empire. It would include the nations which paid tribute to Rome during its reign. read more

Therefore, “national self-defense” becomes “imperialism” when the “defending” country which used violence against another state then occupies that other state and forces it to pay tribute to it. If this does not happen, the state goes about its merry way, then it was not imperialism. There is no geographic limit to imperialism. read more