Does imperialism as a foreign policy result in more harm than good?

There are two ways to look at this question. I will share both views, and then you can decide if imperialism does more harm than good.

There are benefits to imperialism. The imperial country has an opportunity to gain many things. There is an opportunity for economic gain. By getting resources cheaper and having a place to sell finished products, the imperial country may have significant financial gain by having colonies. This may also lead to economic growth for the imperial country. The imperial country may gain politically. By controlling various places, the imperial country may be able to spread its influence and its power throughout the world. There is an opportunity for military gain. By having colonies, an imperial power may have military bases around the world where its military can be stationed. This may allow for the imperial power to establish itself as a world power.

There are some negatives to imperialism. There are costs associated with imperialism. Running colonies may become very expensive. Setting up and running a government, developing an economic system, and protect the colonies are very costly. If the people don’t want to be ruled by the imperial country, this may lead to issues for the imperial country. If the people being ruled rebel for their freedom, the military costs to end the rebellion may be very high. The imperial country may be viewed very negatively as a result of its imperialistic actions. They may be considered as occupiers of the land or as suppressors of the will of the people. For example, many Latin American countries view the United States as a big brother because of our constant intervention in Latin American affairs in the past. This may cast the imperial country in a negative light in the court of public opinion. 

Now it is your turn to decide if imperialism does more harm than good.