What economic, political, and social conditions encouraged the growth of imperialism in africa and asia?

One of the more important conditions one needs to consider with Africa and Asia in parts where imperialism was being spread was that they has politically unstable countries, were economically depriviliged, and the social conditions were not good. When imperialist countries came to exert influence, while it first seemed everyone would benefit from this relationship, it soon became obvious that this was not the case. 

The answer should be a.