Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between neocolonialism and imperialism in the context of historical global inequality?

Neocolonialism and imperialism are closely related concepts that both involve the control of one country over another, but they differ in how that control is exercised. Imperialism typically refers to the direct political and military domination of one country by another, often through colonization. In contrast, neocolonialism describes a more subtle form of control, where powerful countries influence weaker nations through economic means, such as trade agreements or investments, rather than through direct governance. For example, a wealthy country might exploit the resources of a poorer nation by offering loans with high interest rates, which keeps the poorer nation in a cycle of debt and dependence. This relationship contributes to global inequality, as the richer countries maintain their power while the poorer countries struggle to achieve independence and development.