What is imperialism? What is an imperialist?

Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism according to those 
of us following Lenin and his book by the title of "Imperialism: 
The Highest Stage of Capitalism." 

Imperialism is characterized by monopoly corporations and the 
compulsion to export capital abroad (for higher profits). Unlike 
capitalism in earlier stages, in the imperialist stage, capitalism 
has no more progress to bring the world, only the continuous 
threat of extinction through world war and environmental 
catastrophe. 

Historically, the term before Lenin often referred to colonialism 
(the direct rule of other countries by a mother country) or 
conquest of other countries. Lenin also meant for the term to 
continue that connotation. According to Lenin, the countries with 
the highest stage of capitalism (imperialist countries of Europe 
and North Amerika) would periodically re-divide the world through 
world war. World War today is only the political extension of the 
economics of competition inherent within capitalism. 

An imperialist is a member of the ruling class in a society with 
the highest stage of capitalism. Through their control of the 
means of production either through ownership or power in 
government, imperialists would not have to work a day in their 
lives if they did not want to. 

"Imperialism" is the word that the petty-bourgeoisie chastises us 
the most for using. It is grating and unpleasant to the petty-
bourgeoisie proud of its country. 

Imperialism is the cause of contemporary militarism. It is 
impossible to understand communists today without understanding 
the interventions and national conflicts caused by imperialism.