Comprador is spelled kəmˈprɑːdər in IPA phonetic transcription. The word comprador comes from the Portuguese term for buyer or purchaser. It refers to a person in a colonial society who acts as a middleman for foreign businesses by purchasing goods from local producers and then selling them to the foreign businesses. The spelling of comprador may seem tricky, but by breaking it down phonetically, it becomes easier to grasp. The emphasis is on the second syllable, and the final syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound.
Comprador refers to a term predominantly used in Marxist discourse to describe a specific class of individuals or groups within a society, typically found in semi-colonial or semi-feudal nations. The term originated in the context of China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since been broadened to encompass similar phenomena in other regions.
A comprador can be defined as a local entrepreneur or businessperson who acts as an intermediary between foreign capitalists and the domestic population. Their role primarily involves facilitating the import of foreign goods, securing export markets, and overseeing the interests of foreign capital within the domestic economy.
Compradors are often associated with the process of unequal economic relationships, wherein they advance the exploitation of their own country by foreign capitalists. Their existence is perceived as a consequence of colonial or imperialist domination, where the comprador class benefits from the extraction and exportation of indigenous resources.
This term carries a negative connotation within Marxist analysis, as compradors are seen as collaborators or agents of the oppressor class. They are viewed as hindrances to the development of national industry and often criticized for their exploitative practices and allegiance to foreign capital.
In summary, a comprador can be described as a local middleman or businessperson who facilitates the economic interests of foreign capitalists by serving as an intermediary within a semi-colonial or semi-feudal society. They are often seen as collaborators of the oppressor class, benefiting from the exploitation of their own people and hindering national development.
The word "comprador" is derived from the Portuguese word "comprador", which means "buyer". The Portuguese term was adopted from the Spanish word "comprador", which also means "buyer". The term originated during the colonial era when European powers established trade networks and colonies in various parts of the world, including Asia and Africa. In these colonies, a comprador was a local person who acted as an intermediary or agent for the European merchants. The comprador was responsible for purchasing and distributing European goods such as textiles, machinery, and luxury items within the local market. Over time, the term "comprador" came to be associated specifically with the Chinese intermediaries in China's treaty ports during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These compradors played a significant role in facilitating trade between Chinese and foreign merchants.