(SOCIOLOGY) merchant class in a colony; usually dependent on exports of raw material from the colony (or former colony) in exchange for overpriced imports from the former colonial
power.
As a class, the compradors are usually nationalistic--they usually want the trappings of independence. However, they are totally dependent on the global economy and its structure of hegemony. The rich nations benefit from excellent terms of
trade, specialization in manufactured goods or intellectual property, etc.
After nominal independence, the comprador class usually become very powerful in the former colony; major powers like the
USA or the
EU ensure the comprador remain the de facto leaders of the colony.
Anti-US rhetoric is usually just political theater or
may reflect
petty rivalry on the part of the compradors with their foreign masters.
Eventually, the terms of trade become so bad that the relationship breaks down and the country suffers a sovereign debt default, revolution, or permanent
FUBAR status. At this point the comprador class has to share
power with the
local Junker class.