Future of postcolonial studies
Welcome to my Blog.This blog is written as a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir. In this Blog , I'll be talking about two articles. The first one focuses on why working together globally is so important and who's involved. The second article explores the idea of wanting independence after living under certain influences for 500 years. I've included several examples to illustrate these points in the blog.
Post Colonial Studies
Postcolonialism is the critical academic study of the cultural, political and economic legacy of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on the impact of human control and exploitation of colonized people and their lands. The field started to emerge in the 1960s, as scholars from previously colonized countries began publishing on the lingering effects of colonialism, developing a critical theory analysis of the history, culture, literature, and discourse of (usually European) imperial power.
Postcolonial studies is an academic field that examines the legacies, effects, and cultural implications of colonialism and imperialism, particularly after former colonies gained independence. It encompasses various disciplines, including literature, history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, aiming to understand the social, political, economic, and cultural impacts of colonial rule on both colonized societies and the world at large. Postcolonial scholars analyze power dynamics, identity formation, resistance, hybridity, and cultural representation in the aftermath of colonialism, seeking to deconstruct and challenge dominant narratives and perspectives that arose during the colonial era. (Chat Gpt)
Globalisation
Globalization is a term used to describe how trade and technology have made the world into a more connected and interdependent place. Globalization also captures in its scope the economic and social changes that have come about as a result.
Globalization refers to the interconnectedness and integration of economies, cultures, societies, and technologies worldwide. It involves the increasing interdependence and interaction among countries, facilitated by advancements in communication, transportation, and trade. Globalization encompasses the movement of goods, services, capital, information, and people across borders, leading to a more interconnected and interlinked world. It's a complex phenomenon that influences various aspects of life, including economics, politics, culture, technology, and the environment, often bringing both opportunities and challenges for different societies and individuals around the globe.(Chat Gpt)
Market Fundamentalism
The international financial institutions have pushed a particular ideology-market fundamentalism-that is both bad economics and bad politics; it is based on premises concerning how markets work that do not hold even for developed countries, much less for developing countries. More generally, globalisation itself has been governed in ways that are undemocratic and have been disadvantageous to developing countries, especially the poor within those countries.
Market fundamentalism, also known as free-market fundamentalism, is a term applied to a strong belief in the ability of unregulated laissez-faire or free-market capitalist policies to solve most economic and social problems. It is often used as a pejorative by critics of said beliefs.
Article 1.Conclusion: Globalisation and The Future of Postcolonial Studies
In her comprehensive work "Colonialism/Postcolonialism," Ania Loomba delves into the intricate dynamics of colonialism and its lingering influence on the postcolonial world. She meticulously examines the ideological underpinnings of colonialism, its profound impact on literature, the multifaceted challenges posed to colonial systems, and the evolving landscape of postcolonial theories and histories. Loomba also explores the intersection of sexuality and colonialism, highlighting the interplay between feminist and postcolonial thought. Additionally, she engages with the ongoing debates surrounding globalization and its implications for postcolonial studies.
Amidst the complexities of the contemporary world, postcolonial scholarship assumes an even greater significance in illuminating these interconnected realities. The events of 9/11, the subsequent "war on terror," and the US interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq have blurred the lines between colonialism and postcolonialism, rendering the classification of our world increasingly ambiguous.
In their seminal work "Empire," Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri challenge the notion of a centralized imperial power structure, advocating instead for the recognition of a contemporary global order characterized by a decentralized network of interconnected entities. This new form of sovereignty, termed "Empire," operates in stark contrast to the traditional European empires. Unlike imperialism, Empire eschews fixed boundaries and territorial control, instead establishing a multifaceted apparatus of rule that encompasses the entire globe. Hardt and Negri argue that this decentered and deterritorializing system effectively manages hybrid identities, flexible hierarchies, and diverse exchanges through a web of interconnected command networks. In contrast to the distinct national colors that once adorned the imperial map, the contemporary world has been transformed into an imperial global rainbow.
The authors draw parallels between this new Empire and ancient Rome, suggesting that Rome's approach of loosely incorporating subject states rather than exercising direct control bears a striking resemblance to the decentralized nature of contemporary Empire. This observation underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of imperial systems, challenging conventional notions of colonialism and postcolonialism.
In Arjun Appadurai's "Modernity at Large," the notion of globalization is presented as a transformative force that has brought about a multitude of new and exciting developments. The author highlights the emergence of "multiple locations," new forms of cultural hybridization, innovative communication technologies, and diverse patterns of consumption as evidence of globalization's positive impact.
However, Simon Gikandi cautions against hasty conclusions about the nature of global culture. He argues that the images and narratives associated with this phenomenon may not necessarily reflect a cohesive global structure or a complete break from past forms of identity. Gikandi emphasizes the need for careful analysis to discern the complex relationships between global cultural flows and social or cultural transformations.
Étienne Balibar, in his work on racism and nationalism, delves into the enduring power of racial ideologies. He asserts that the invocation of culture, rather than nature, as the basis for racial distinctions does not diminish their potency. Instead, he argues that "culture can also function like a nature" and can be equally harmful in perpetuating racial discrimination (Balibar 1991a: 22). Balibar cites the contemporary phobia of Arabs as an example, noting that it is rooted in the perception of Islam as an incompatible "conception of the world" (24).
These critical perspectives serve as important reminders that globalization and its associated cultural phenomena are complex and multifaceted. While globalization has undoubtedly introduced new possibilities and forms of exchange, it is crucial to remain vigilant against the potential for new forms of exclusion and prejudice.
Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri’s Empire says that the con-temporary global order has produced a new form of sovereignty that should be called ‘Empire’ but which is best understood in contrast toEuropean empires. Here is original line from it,
In contrast to imperialism, Empire establishes no territorial center of power and does not rely on fixed boundaries or barriers. It is a decen-tered and deterritorializing apparatus of rule that progressively incor-porates the entire global realm within its open, expanding frontiers.Empire manages hybrid identities, flexible hierarchies, and plural exchanges through modulating networks of command. The distinct national colors of the imperial map of the world have merged and blended in the imperial global rainbow.(Hardt and Negri 2000: xiii–xiii)
P. Sainath – ‘And then there was the market’
Market fundamentalism destroys more human lives than any other simply because it cuts across all national, cultural, geographic, religious and other boundaries. It’s as much at home in Moscow as in Mumbai or Minnesota. A South Africa – whose advances in the early 1990s thrilled the world – moved swiftly from apartheid to neo-liberalism. It sits as easily in Hindu, Islamic or Christian societies. And it contributes angry, despairing recruits to the armies of all religious fundamentalisms. Based on the premise that the market is the solution to all the problems of the human race, it is, too, a very religious fundamentalism. It has its own Gospel: The Gospel of St. Growth, of St. Choice… (2001: n.p.)
The article finishes by talking about how globalization connects with Ecocriticism. It explains how big companies from different countries can make us feel controlled, almost like being colonized. It also talks about how people who have been oppressed or controlled fight against this. There are examples in the article that show how these suppressed groups rebel against this control.
"The Reluctant Fundamentalist":
Mira Nair's 2012 movie, adapted from Mohsin Hamid's book, delves into the effects of the 9/11 attacks on a Pakistani man and his interactions with Americans afterward. It tackles intricate topics like Islam and the West, fundamentalism, and America's response to terrorism. Looking through a postcolonial lens, the film presents an alternative narrative to the Islamophobia that emerged after 9/11 and challenges typical views of terrorism, shedding light on the paths of imperialism. It becomes a mirror reflecting how stories from postcolonial perspectives connect with today's global happenings.
"Madaari":
In 2016, Nishikant Kamat directed an Indian social thriller that delves into the struggle between an ordinary individual and the collusion between a construction firm and politicians. The movie's story emphasizes the enduring economic gaps and power imbalances in postcolonial communities, which are frequently shaped by globalization. It highlights the intricate nature of societal systems and emphasizes how postcolonial studies can illuminate these complex issues.
Article 2: CONCLUSION: THE FUTURE OF POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES
Various renowned postcolonial scholars contributed their perspectives to this article. For instance,Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak proposed that the term " postcolonial" might be outdated, stating, "Postcolonial is the day before yesterday" (Spivak 2013: 2). Additionally, Dipesh Chakrabarty expressed how readings in globalization theories, Marxist capital analysis, subaltern studies, and postcolonial criticism didn't equip him to tackle the urgent issue of climate change (Chakrabarty 2009: 199).
Ramachandra Guha and Juan Martínez-Alier highlighted the manifestation of this colonial legacy in American environmentalism, particularly its fixation on untouched wilderness. Rob Nixon observed that this fascination with wilderness also infiltrates American literature and natural history, erasing the history of colonized peoples (Nixon: date). Vilashini Cooppan criticized a prevalent version of postcolonial studies in the United States, emphasizing its disconnect from important allied traditions such as American studies, Native-American studies, African-American studies, and others (Cooppan 1999: 7).
Rosa Luxemburg offered insights into revised Marxist methods, highlighting colonial policy, international loans, spheres of interest, and warfare as dominant features, openly displaying force, fraud, and oppression within the economic process (Luxemburg 1951: 452). David Harvey suggested redefining 'primitive accumulation' as 'accumulation by dispossession,' pointing out the persistence of these features in capitalism's historical geography, including the acceleration of displacement of peasant populations and privatization of common property resources (Harvey 2005: 145–46).
Carl Schmitt discussed the 'open' spaces in which European nations operated without restraint, emphasizing the concept of free land and seas—regions free for European appropriation where existing laws did not apply (Schmitt 2003: 94).
"Sherni":
This movie shows how a tiger is stuck because of factories being built. It's about how hard it is to balance protecting nature and making money. This connects to the article's ideas about how nature problems and postcolonial studies are connected.
"Narmada Bachao Andolan":
The Narmada Bachao Andolan emerged as a protest against the ambitious Narmada Valley development project, aimed at constructing large dams across central India. These dams were not just environmentally unsustainable but also posed a threat of displacing thousands of indigenous people residing in the Narmada Valley. Despite being financed by both multinational and local capital, the World Bank withdrew its support in 1993 due to a prolonged and organized resistance led by the NBA.
"Tatvamasi,"
In Dhruv Bhatt's book "Tatvamasi," written during the time of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBD), the expectation was for writers to raise their voices against injustice, which is seen as their moral responsibility. However, in this book, Bhatt remains silent about the Narmada Bachao Andolan, which appears to be an evasion. Similar to writers of the romantic era, Bhatt focuses solely on glorifying the beauty of nature rather than addressing what is necessary and essential.
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