Imperialism, the political-economic domination and exploitation of countries via economic penetration and/or military conquest or intervention is the driving force of contemporary history. Whole regions of Eastern Europe, the former USSR, Africa, South-Central Asia and Latin Americas have been converted into neo-colonies, colonies or spheres of influence of the US, the European Union and Japan. Newly emerging capitalist countries, like China, are challenging the established imperial powers for markets, raw materials and energy sources. Imperial wars, colonial occupations, military intervention and military coups to expand the empire are euphemistically referred to as "regime change" and "democratization". In order to understand the nature, structure and dynamics of the imperial system it becomes necessary to identify and explain the key political concepts and their place in the construction of the contemporary world empire.