Post-Colonialism Flashcards
Postcolonialism
examines how the legacies of colonialism continue to shape international relations
emphasizing the
lasting effects of imperial histories on global politics, economics, and cultural systems.
postcolonialism critiques
the unequal global order and hierarchical power structures that privilege Western states while marginalizing non-Western perspectives.
Questions the
dominance of Western knowledge systems and their portrayal of the non-West as “other,” often framed as inferior, primitive, or incapable.
seeks to
understand the world as it is but also explores how it ought to be, aiming for a more equitable distribution of power and resources.
central focus of postcolonialism is
the concept of “othering,” where in colonial powers constructed binary oppositions between the West and the non-West
non-Western states are often portrayed as
untrustworthy or incapable, particularly in debates surrounding nuclear proliferation, where countries like Iran and North Korea are framed as irrational actors, while Western states are seen as responsible stewards.
Realism’s portrayal of the international system as anarchic
is challenged by postcolonialism, which emphasizes its hierarchical nature, shaped by colonial histories
critique Marxism for
its emphasis on class struggle while neglecting the role of race and colonial exploitation in shaping global inequalities.
highlights how
development policies often frame the Global South as dependent on Western aid and expertise, ignoring the structural inequalities created by colonial exploitation
provides a
critical lens for understanding the enduring impacts of colonialism on global politics.
challenges the
dominance of Western-centric perspectives in IR.
Challenging…
The dominant, western-centric perspectives that have shaped the discipline
Focuses on…
Lasting impacts of colonialism on global politics, how historical patterns continue to influence contemporary international systems
Critiques…
Enduring legacies of colonialism that persist in shaping the modern international order
Western knowledge systems…
Have historically constructed non-western societies as “other” portraying them as primitive, irrational or incapable
The process of “othering”…
Justified colonial dominations and continues to shape contemporary discourses
Post Colonialism urges scholars…
To question not just who holds the power, but how power is justified and sustained through such narratives
Concept of “othering” is…
Central to Post Colonialism, revealing how race, identity and power are interconnected in global politics
