What are the positive effects of imperialism?

Many people
would say that there are no positive effects of imperialism.  But if I had to say what good
imperialism can do, I would say

• Imperialism can be positive for
  the imperial power.  This country can (like Britain with India) get economic benefits from its
  imperialism.  It can gain raw materials, for example, that it could not have gotten otherwise. 
  (This no longer applies as much because there is so much more trade.


• Imperialism can also give the imperial power more prestige in the world.  It comes to
  be seen as a more important country.
• Imperialism can, ideally, help the
  colonized country.  If the imperial power is so inclined, it can help the colony advance and
  prepare for self-government.  You can argue that British rule, for example, brought democracy to
  India and put Hong Kong in a better situation than it would have been if it had remained nothing
  more than a part of China.