They really aren't. The popular narrative is that the commoners own the responsibility for imperialism "because it helped them" and this assertion tends to be

They really aren't. The popular narrative is that the commoners own the responsibility for imperialism "because it helped them" and this assertion tends to be taken without question. The reality is far more complicated. What is true is that imperialism is driven by and for the very rich and powerful ruling class. And what is also true is that the common people have been forced to bear the brunt of these wars and interventions and expansion. The common people of imperialist countries have also been victims of imperialism.