[nee-oh-kuh-loh-nee-uh-liz-uh m] /ˌni oʊ kəˈloʊ ni əˌlɪz əm/
noun
1.
the policy of a strong nation in seeking political and economic hegemony over an independent nation or extended geographical area without necessarily reducing the subordinate nation or area to the legal status of a colony.
neocolonialism ascribes these relationships to an intentional policy.
British Dictionary definitions for neocolonialism
neocolonialism
/ˌniːəʊkəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəm/
noun
1.
(in the modern world) political control by an outside power of a country that is in theory sovereign and independent, esp through the domination of its economy
The dominance of strong nations over weak nations, not by direct political control (as in traditional colonialism), but by economic and cultural influence.