POST-COLONIAL

AND
DECOLONIALITY

PRESENTATION BY ELLIOT ABRAHAM

11005849
HISTORY AND DEFINITION
 Postcolonial theory is a critical approach to understanding
the cultural, political, and economic implications of
colonialism and imperialism, particularly in relation to the
legacy of these systems in the postcolonial world.

 It emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the

global movements for independence and decolonization that
occurred throughout the 20th century

 Postcolonial theory emerged as a way of understanding the

ongoing impact of colonialism in the postcolonial world
HISTORY AND DEFINITION
CONT’D
 Decolonization theory is a related field that focuses on the
process of decolonization and the challenges that arise in
the aftermath of independence.
 It addresses issues such as the development of new political
systems, the establishment of national identities, and the
ongoing struggle against neocolonialism, which refers to
the continued economic and political domination of former
colonial powers over postcolonial nations.
 Together, postcolonial and decolonization theories offer a
critical perspective on the historical and ongoing impact of
colonialism and imperialism.
KEY THEORISTS
 Fanon and the ‘Colonized mind’
 Edward Said (1935-2003) best known for his critique on
orientalism
 Homian K. Bhabha (born 1949) best known for his work on
hybridity and postcolonial identity
 SOME KEY TERMS
 Colonialism
 Post-colonialism

 Decolonization

 Neocolonialism

 Othering

 Hybridity

 Subaltern

 Orientalism

 Agency
COLONIALSM AND IT’S IMPACTS ON
SOCIETY
 Postcolonial and decolonization theories emphasize the
profound impact that colonialism has had on societies and
cultures, both during the colonial period and in the
postcolonial era. They include:

 Cultural domination

 Political oppression

 Othering

 Resistance and agency

IMPERIALISM AND ITS EFFECTS ON
CULTURE

 Postcolonial and decoloniality theories suggest that

imperialism, the policy or practice of extending a country's
power and influence through colonization or other means,
has had a profound impact on culture. They include:

 Cultural domination

 Orientalism

 Hybridity

 Cultural nationalism

 Globalization
EURO-CENTRISM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON
KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION
 Postcolonial and decoloniality theories highlight the role of
Euro-centrism, the tendency to prioritize European or
Western perspectives and knowledge systems, in shaping
knowledge production and the production of cultural and
historical narratives. Some of these include;

 Marginalization of non-Western perspectives

 Orientalism

 Epistemicide

 Decolonization of knowledge production

 Global South perspectives

ORIENTALISM AND THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE "OTHER"

 Postcolonial and decoloniality theories view Orientalism as

a way of constructing the "Other," or the exotic and
foreign, in a way that reinforces Western dominance and
reinforces cultural and racial hierarchies.

 Exoticization

 Stereotyping

 Power dynamics

 Counter-narratives

 Resistance
HEGEMONY AND THE STRUGGLE FOR
POWER
 Postcolonial and decoloniality theories view hegemony as a
way of maintaining power and dominance over subordinate
groups, and emphasize the struggle for power and agency
in the context of colonialism and imperialism.

 Hegemonic power

 Subaltern resistance

 Counter-hegemony

 Power struggles
POST-COLONIALISM AND
DECOLONIZATION AND POLITICS
 In politics, post-colonialism and decolonization have had a
profound impact on the way we think about power, identity,
and representation.

 They have challenged the dominant narratives of

colonialism and imperialism, and have given voice to the
experiences and perspectives of colonized peoples.

 Decolonization has been a central goal of many political

movements, particularly in the Global South, where the
effects of colonialism have been most deeply felt.
POST-COLONIALISM AND DECOLONIZATION AND
POLITICS CONT’D

 In recent years, post-colonialism and decolonization have

become increasingly important in debates around issues
such as immigration, multiculturalism, and globalization

 They have also played a role in the rise of new political

movements, such as Black Lives Matter and indigenous
rights movements, which seek to challenge and transform
the legacies of colonialism in the contemporary world
NATIONALISM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
 Nationalism, defined as a belief in the importance of the nation
and its sovereignty, has been a major force in postcolonial and
decolonization politics.

 Postcolonial theory has been critical of nationalism

 Nationalism can be used as a tool for political manipulation

 Decolonization has also had implications for nationalism

 Nationalism has been both a force for liberation and a tool for
oppression in postcolonial and decolonization politics
THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE AND
SOVEREIGNTY

 The struggle for independence and sovereignty has been a central

theme in postcolonial and decolonization politics

 Postcolonial theory has played an important role in understanding

and analyzing the struggle for independence and sovereignty.

 Decolonization, as a political and social movement, has also been

instrumental in the struggle for independence and sovereignty

 The struggle for independence and sovereignty in the light of

postcolonial and decolonization politics has been about more than
simply gaining political autonomy
NEOCOLONIALISM
 Neocolonialism, defined as the use of economic and political
power by developed countries to maintain control over the
economies and political systems of former colonies, is a key
issue in postcolonial and decolonization politics.

 Postcolonial theory has been critical of neocolonialism

 Decolonization has been seen as a way to challenge

neocolonialism.

 Neocolonialism represents a significant challenge for

postcolonial and decolonization politics
GLOBALIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE
POST-COLONIAL WORLD
 Decolonization has been seen as a way to challenge the negative
impacts of globalization

 Globalization has also had cultural and social impacts on the

postcolonial world

 Globalization represents a significant challenge for postcolonial

and decolonization politics