What is Postcolonialism? A Short Introduction to Postcolonial Theory
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มี.ค. 2023
- What is postcolonialism and why is postcolonial theory important to understand today? Postcolonial literature and film are vibrant and diverse fields that offer a critical approach to studying the socio-economic and cultural relationship between former colonial powers and current post-colonial states, as well as reflections on how the history of colonization has transformed our identities and conditions the ways in which we see the world around us.
Want to know more about postcolonial theory? Check out our video on postcolonial film theory: • What is Postcolonial F...
The host, Dr. Alexander K. Smith, holds an MA from Oxford University and a PhD in the anthropology of Tibet and the Himalayas from the University of Paris, France.
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A few recommended readings:
Boehmer, Elleke. 2005 [1995]. Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: Migrant Metaphors. Oxford University Press.
Gandhi, Leela. 1998. Postcolonial Theory: A critical introduction. Allen and Unwin.
Loomba, Ania. 2005 [1988]. Colonialism/Postcolonialism. Routledge
Moore-Gilbert, Bart, Gareth Stanton and Willy Maley. 1997. Postcolonial Criticism. Routledge.
Young, Robert J. C. 2001. Postcolonialism: An Historical Introduction. Blackwell.
I don’t often recommend primary source readers, but in the case of postcolonial writing, a great deal of the literature is so dense that it helps to have an expert unpack core readings. You can hardly do better than Moore-Gilbert, Stant, and Maley’s edited volume (1997). It's probably one of the better entry-points to the field that I’ve read. Loomba (1988) and Boehmer (1995) are both very solid monographs that provide contrasting perspectives on the intellectual history of postcolonialism. I would recommend reading them together, while Gandhi (1998) is probably the most political historically-grounded of three histories I’ve recommended. All very good starting points. If you already have an understanding of postmodern literary criticism and at least a layman’s understanding of Marxist academic theory, then I would highly recommend Young (2001). It’s not entirely unproblematic in its historical methodology, but I think that it will be considered a masterwork in the field - and already is by some.
Thanks for watching! Postcolonialism is a fabulously interesting and complex field. If you'd like us to make more content on the subject... on postcolonial film(s), specific authors, or national and/or historical perspectives, let us know in the comments 🍻✌ [corrections follow below]
Corrections: 4:10 I mispronounce Aijaz Ahmad.
It’s wonderful but you never touch the main points that are still existing.
@@junaidiqbal618No hope in going to the past come to the loving savior today
Seek his Holy Spirit in prayer today he can give you peace confort and guidance today
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
Very well
my brain isn't braining
This video came in its time . I am currently studying all of those theories . I hope you would dive more deeply in each theory
For me the main problem is that we still chose to operate the language that makes clear boundaries and binaries. Such as a term "global south". It immediately implies its pejorative meaning and solidifies imbalance.
Thanks for posting. I couldn't agree more. I have some serious problems with 'global south', in particular, as well. Normally I wouldn't use the phrase in my lectures (unless it was to point out the ways in which latent colonial biases can be carried into postcolonial discourse through translations, as well as in outdated terminology), but it's used so widely in the literature that I decided to include it here. Great point, though!
Given that literally all Marxists and radicals from the Global south, not only use the term Global south, identity with it and propose common political formation within it I find no reason not to use the term.
But then again they are not mortified by the use of terms.
Hey, I'm a student a farely new to the topic. In the literature I red 'global south' is a widely used term. But what should you use when you actually want to refer to the global south. (in my case it's a paper about climate change and the countries responsible for it and the ones suffering) For more specific analyses naming the exact region is an option. But if I want to refer to the graphic from NASA for example which showed the CO2 emissions over a year for the whole planet you simply see that the there is a huge difference between the global north and south. Thanks for the well explained video btw
Excellent point at the end!
Great video, Prof! Having been to several (but nowhere near enough) national or regional museums in countries previously occupied by Western countries, I definitely felt the echo of the "interruption" in self-representation during that period.
Thanks so much, vncntrgr1519! And thanks for posting. I probably should have mentioned that museums in post-colonial states are often real ideological battlegrounds and that there's a rich body of literature in museum studies on the repatriation of art and artifacts, as well as the translation of (colonial) museums into post-colonial institutions. I think that's something I'll have to come back to in a future video!
@@ArmchairAcademics That was the joke of 19th century archaeology and the grand tour of rich white people. A lot of Greek art and architecture was bought from an occupying power by the sons of aristorcrats in the year before they started at an oxbridge college till the independence of Greece. And the rule for professional archaelogists was they could keep half the finds and the country took the other half. So the old style of Archaeology digging up treasure stopped happening in modern times because nobody can afford it. Instead they do statistical research using ground radar and how many broken pots there are and the make up of bones. But I'm not sure if India follows this simpler analysis. Most Indian Museums were set up by first German Archaeologists then European ones. India had a different cycllical view of history. Even today if you look at ancient sites save when there is rioting about which religious site existed first people use them as large urinals or for dumping refuse. Then there's the great museum of Baghdad which was ransacked though they say much of it was returned later when the American post invasion claimed law and order wasn't a problem for the conquerors. So if people wanted to loot a museum it wasn't their concern. But I ramble. If you are looking for a hook possibly better to start with simpler ones. Not sure if one theory ever fits all countries mind.
Thank you for this the information i found was very vague.
Thanks for this video sir. It's helps us understand the approach about postcolonialism
Very happy to hear that it was helpful!
The criticism that post-colonialism is very difficult to read is valid. Their writings are purposefully obfuscated to further their deconstruction of perceived power differentials. It is one of the primary aims of post-structualism, postmodernism, post-colonialism. The goal is not to express truth or find the wiser path forward, but solely to deconstruct long-held understandings. The end game to their destruction is that there is no end game. Hence, the near impossibility to understand their literature.
Just read Ania Loomba book, and your explanation is so relevant. Thank you sir! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Many thanks
Might train some empathy as well. Yes those people in Gaza are humans with dreams like everyone else. Why should they not fight for what others have fought for? Freedom?
I speak three languages from formerly colonized countries, and so I know how difficult it is for people there to even formulate their own viewpoint on history. They even have to borrow the words for this from European languages! This makes them easy prey for pseudo-scientific ideologues who often hold professorships at prestigious universities. "Postcolonial studies" are occasionally carried out scientifically, but in most cases only a vulgar form of it exists.
Hi Dr. Smith! Thank you so much for this video, it's very helpful to look into this matter in such a concise manner. If I may ask, I've noticed a lot of East vs. West form of definition here, but I was curious as to whether or not this could be applied to East Asia as a whole in a minor sense. I want to do a MA and hopefullly a PhD in regards to the history, repercussion, affect and influence Japan has had on it's neighbors following the end of WW2. As a Japanese national myself I feel compelled to this form of research as I've noticed that Japan does have a significant effect on it's formerly colonized territories be it through soft power and infrastructure, and the lack of post-colonialist dialogue for the most part in Japan, especially from China and S. Korea has been a major political focal point in regards to international relations. I've also noticed that since Japan lost it's colonial territories almost overnight, with justice of war crimes being doled out by the US alone, and the post war occupation of Japan by the US has affected Japan's perception on the international stage. Japan doesn't operate the way the UK (as example) does now with it's former colonies as well.
Sorry for the longwinded arc but I was curious as to whether this would be considered Postcolonial research, to look into this topic from a former Asian colonizing power that has affected it's neighbors with it's prior actions :3 Thank you kindly!
Hey there! Thanks for posting -- great comments like this are one of the reasons I love making content on the platform. To answer your question as concisely as possible, exploring the postcolonial nature of Japan's former colonial territories (and all of the intersectional complexities that emerge from the post-war occupation of Japan) is absolutely a viable area for postcolonial critique. I think it's a fantastic and theoretically rich theoretical space that would tie together well with a cultural studies or critical theoretical lens. 100%
The only downside, I think, is that it may be difficult to apply early postcolonial theoretical literature to your area studies specialization. Authors like Spivak (in particular) didn't really concern themselves with Central or East Asia and only really began to make a concerted effort to link their theoretical writing to global post- and de-colonial struggles towards the end of their careers. That's something that Spivak lamented in interviews -- along with expressing regret at writing in such a heavy handed Derridean-style. Aside from that, if you're able to find a supportive supervisor (or one that is at least open to postcolonial/subaltern history), I say go for it! I think it has great potential. Good luck!!
Thank you Sir
Very glad it was helpful!
is there a specific theory on post colonial opression ?
theory of oppression?
That's a great question. Thanks for posting. Beyond postcolonial theory (which, of course, also includes a discourse on oppression) there's no single theoretical movement that focuses exclusively on 'colonial' oppression as such, but there are definitely a number of theoretical concepts that address forms of systemic oppression that we can use to theorize and better understand the repressive nature of colonialism. Critical theory in its various manifestations is the first thing that comes to mind. When historians discuss the history of colonial oppression, you'll often find different critical theories intersecting with discourses on postcolonial theory and subaltern studies. There's a robust literature in Marxian Theory, as well, that a number of postcolonial authors have adapted in their pointed critiques of specific colonial governments. Fanon's work on Algeria is one of the best examples (I delve into his writing in more depth in our episode on Postcolonial Film Theory), but it's far from the only example. In fact, many postcolonial authors have their own unique approaches to theorizing oppression -- I can definitely suggest Fanon and Homi K. Bhabha as a starting point for digging into the specifics of the literature. Best of luck! Thanks again for posting.
What is evolution post colonial
There's the reaction to it from the political right not just European. So in India it would be to return to a HIndutva view of history where India was the be all and end all but Indians have always been held back by other races and foreign religions. But once you break down a metanarrative like Western Science, Western views of Democracy and Human Rights things tend to splinter off and all sorts of ideas become discussed and with fake news and disinformation put forward as very sensible and factual.
You did not touch upon Ranajit Guha
"Short introduction"
you're very handsome
"a critical approach".
Have a love hate thing with Fanon.
He says some rally insightful things.
But I swear half his books are just rote repetition of standard Marxist stuff.
I'm probably not the audience he was writing for though.
I completely sympathize with this take. I'm a huge fan of Fanon's work, but when I've taught him in the classroom, I've always felt that it's important to situate his relatively orthodox Marxist perspective in a historical context (e.g. "a man of his times"... a late-structuralist... that kind of thing). It's important to do that because many aspects of his writing can be adapted outside of Marxian analysis and are useful theoretical tool for discussing post- and neo-colonial struggles more broadly.
Also, side note, I had a laugh when I read your comment, because I remember going to one of my professors as an undergrad and discussing the same thing. Not that that's either here nor there, but I appreciate the comment -- it brought back some fond memories.
Misogyne?
You forgot to mention that it fell out of the backside of the rotten left 🤔
You mean, as you fell out??
@@larryparis925 too fall out would indicate one was once within I was never seduced by the lies of neo Marxist or black supremacist 🤔
@@maximillianphoenix9374 Nor have many people been seduced by such like. But, what is a “black supremacist”? I think they don’t even exist.
Any particular book by him which focuses on the effects of colonialism on culture, identity and classism ?
@@ehfhejdfhhehd1845 I said neo Marxist not Marx 🤔
This is too long!
Post-Colonial Theory is not a short subject.
No... Your mind is too short.
@@larryparis925 Perhaps. But at least I am not an embittered far-leftist, who has troubles of moving forward in life.
@@Grappapappa So, people cannot be embittered by the cruelties of outsiders? Such mistreated peoples don’t have to be right, left, or centrists. It’s simply a case of being subjugated, exploitated, and mistreated. Have you no humanity? What if it was your country, your family… you?
@@larryparis925 I am from Finland and we suffered greatly from oppression and racism from Sweden and particularly Russia. But we moved on, as did countries like South Korea and Taiwan after brutal Japanese colonialism. It is so easy to blame others for your own mistakes.