post colonialism

Question 1

who are 5 key scholars and the year they were puublished

Answer 1

edward siad 1978, spival 1988, krishna 2009, fanon 1961, gramsci

Question 2

what was edward siad’s philosophy

Answer 2

he created the concept of orientalism:
- how the east is portrayed in western media and how this image is maintained
- represents europe as civilized and the rest as barbaric
- the west defines itself against everyone else, its a way of imagining the rest of the world which justifies imperialism

Question 3

what was spivaks main philosophy

Answer 3

• created the idea of the ‘subaltern’, marginalized groups excluded from global politics
• asked who has voice and agency on the international level

Question 4

what was krishna’s main contributions

Answer 4

• critiques IR for ignoring the colonial past of the international system and how that still affects IR today
• argues sovereignty and statehood are deeply shaped by colonization

Question 5

what were fanons main contributions

Answer 5

• colonialism is not only physical (economic and political) but also psychological
• there has been social and cultural destruction through racism and imperialism
• calls for violent revolution against the colonizers

Question 6

what is gramsci’s contribution to post colonialism

Answer 6

• power is exercised on the subaltern not just through force but also culture and identity

Question 7

what is the main focus of post colonialism

Answer 7

• takes a bottom up approach
• argues colonialism is still around today, colonial power persists through capitalism and institutions
• studies how inequality was created and is still maintained
• critiques the west being held as a role model

Question 8

what are some examples of neo-colonialism

Answer 8

• liberal intervention in the middle east
• french troops staying in ghana after independence
• colonial border drawing
• humanitarian intervention can act as cover for political or economic interests

Question 9

what is the post colonial view on traditional IR theory

Answer 9

• to abstracted from reality, only focuses on western states
• depicts the 19th century as peaceful but ignores imperialism

Question 10

what does post colonialism aim to include in IR

Answer 10

• bring the subaltern to attention
• challenge the focus on the west and great powers

Question 11

how does the post colonial critique view power in the international system

Answer 11

• the system is not a reality but a theatre with more powerful actors than others
• how did colonialism create this imbalance of power

Question 12

what is the post colonial view on the state

Answer 12

• challenges the separation of the domestic and international
• state is a western construct
• there is systemic inequaity

Question 13

what is the post colonial view on sovereignty

Answer 13

• who gives sovereignty and is it fixed
• who has the power to break sovereignty

Question 14

whats the post colonial view on the marginalisation of women of colour

Answer 14

• second wave feminism emerged out of women in a position of power
• women experience sexism in different ways depending on race, class and ethnicity

Question 15

how does post colonial IR suggest we work towards a more global IR

Answer 15

• pluralist universalism: recognize diversity amongst nations and seek to find common ground
• give centre stage to regions, how do they shape the world order
• challenge existing theories and norms

Question 16

what are some post and de colonial approaches

Answer 16

• seek to understand the perspective of the colonized and formerly colonized
• imperialism and colonialism are structures of power which influence other forms of power
• challenge the west for its moral responsibility for inequality