Online Encyclopedia
Colonialism
Colonialism is a system in which a state claims sovereignty over territory and people outside its own boundaries, often to facilitate economic domination over their resources, labor, and often markets. The term also refers to a set of beliefs used to legitimize or promote this system, especially the belief that the mores of the colonizer are superior to those of the colonized.
Advocates of colonialism argue that colonial rule benefits the colonized by developing the economic and political infrastructure necessary for modernization and democracy. They point to such former colonies as Singapore as examples of post-colonial success.
Dependency theorists such as Andre Gunder Frank , however, argue that colonialism actually leads to the net transfer of wealth from the colonized to the colonizer, and inhibits successful economic development.
Post-colonialist critics such as Franz Fanon argue that colonialism does political, psychological, and moral damage to the colonized as well.
Indian writer and political activist Arundhati Roy said that debating the pros and cons of colonialism/imperialism "is a bit like debating the pros and cons of rape".
Related topics
- Colonial
- Colony
- Mercantilism
- Protectorate
-
Colonization
- Colonization of Africa
- European colonization of the Americas
- US colonization outside North America
- New Imperialism
- Neo-colonialism
- Independence
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British Empire
- The British East India Company, founded in 1600
- British Raj
- British colonization of the Americas
- Pax Britannica
- The Great Game
- Governor
- Governor-General
- Lieutenant governor
- Viceroy of India
- Crown colony
- Dominion
- Imperial Conferences
- Balfour Declaration 1926
- Statute of Westminster 1931
- Commonwealth of Nations
- British Crown Overseas Dependencies
- Dependent territories of the United Kingdom
- British nationality law
- The Dutch East India Company, founded in 1602
- The Dutch West India Company, founded in 1621
- "Former Colonies" section in List of extinct countries, empires, etc.