Postcolonialism examines whether the history of colonialism still impacts formerly colonized states after independence. Colonialism expanded European influence globally from the 15th century until decolonization in the 20th century. Postcolonial scholars argue that mainstream international relations theories have colonial roots and Eurocentric biases. Postcolonial scholarship challenges these perspectives by highlighting how the language and effects of colonial rule still influence politics today.
Original Description:
IR theory basics and assumptions of Postcolonialism
Postcolonialism examines whether the history of colonialism still impacts formerly colonized states after independence. Colonialism expanded European influence globally from the 15th century until decolonization in the 20th century. Postcolonial scholars argue that mainstream international relations theories have colonial roots and Eurocentric biases. Postcolonial scholarship challenges these perspectives by highlighting how the language and effects of colonial rule still influence politics today.
Postcolonialism examines whether the history of colonialism still impacts formerly colonized states after independence. Colonialism expanded European influence globally from the 15th century until decolonization in the 20th century. Postcolonial scholars argue that mainstream international relations theories have colonial roots and Eurocentric biases. Postcolonial scholarship challenges these perspectives by highlighting how the language and effects of colonial rule still influence politics today.
Does the history of colonialism still matter after
decolonisation? The process whereby a powerful state extends control and exerts influence over developing and vulnerable states Colonialism as a practice reached from the 15th century to the end What is of WW2, where decolonization became prominent colonialism? Great Britain expanded its influence across India, Egypt and Africa The French empire constituted states such as Algeria and the Ivory Coast (named for their commodity) 1. IR was birthed during the height of European imperialism
Colonial roots 2. Traditional theorists such as Thucydides, Machiavelli, Kant and
Hobbes lived during periods of intense violence against non- of IR Europeans 3. Eurocentrism 1. An alternative to the Eurocentric mainstream position of IR 2. Based on colonial rule and how effects are still felt presently Postcolonialism 3. The power of language 4. The practice of colonialism doesn’t exist in the same way, but the effects still exist 5. Postpositivist epistemology 1. “Orientalism” - Edward Said (1979). 2. Balfour’s justification for the treatment of the Egyptians was based on British superiority and Egyptian inferiority Postcolonial 3. British “knowledge” of Egypt manipulated the way Egypt was viewed for the colonizers and colonized scholarship 4. “Eurocentric conception of world politics” – John Hobson (2012). Erroll Henderson exploration of racism in IR theory maintains how “these major paradigms of world politics [realism and liberalism] are oriented by racist – primarily white supremacist – precepts” Although few scholars would readily admit a racist ontology, racist Challenging thinking ‘was [and continues to be] fundamental to the conceptualization of anarchy; IR’s fundamental concept which mainstream IR depended on the primitivization of non-European societies’. “Anarchy is what states make of it” – Wendt (1992). Mainstream IR is founded on this; therefore, it is key to recognize the colonial roots inherent in the discipline The powerful dictate the use of language and how we identify “others” Balfour’s separation between ”us” and “them” served to legitimize oppression and justify occupying other states Power of “…the more advanced have a duty and therefore a right to language intervene in, and to improve the character and the conduct of the less advanced (Hindess, 2007)” Western scholars have stated the moral imperative of “civilizing” non-Europeans according to their standards. 1. A trading agreement between Africa and the US which opened the US economy to African nations, reducing US trade barriers 2. Agreement was framed on African countries increasing exports, thus improving economies 3. World Trade Organisation was set up to facilitate trade between Case Study: states, but WTO was negotiated by the EU and US African Growth 4. US created the narrative that this would be highly beneficial for Africa, furthering an imperialistic notion of superiority and and elitism Opportunity 5. AGOA seen as a move by the US to exploit and access cheap African labour and resources Act 2000 6. Eligibility requirements dictated according to US preference 7. In the end, African states had little bargaining power in the US market and only 6/30 countries witnessed a significant increase in exports Does the history of The legacy of colonialism is still apparent in contemporary IR colonialism still EU Refugee Crisis