Postcolonialism Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is Postcolonialism in IR?
A theory that examines how colonial history and power still shape global politics today.
Does Postcolonialism believe colonialism is over?
No — it argues that colonial structures and thinking still affect the world today.
What does Postcolonialism focus on?
Race, power, knowledge, representation, and how the West still dominates global narratives.
What does it mean to “study from the margins”?
To understand global politics from the perspective of those who were colonised or excluded.
What does Postcolonialism say about traditional IR theories?
They ignore history, colonialism, and racism — focusing only on states and power.
How does Postcolonialism view Western knowledge?
It is not neutral — it’s shaped by colonial history and Western dominance.
What is “representation” in this context?
How people, cultures, and regions are described or portrayed — especially in media and academia.
Why does representation matter in IR?
It shapes how the world sees and treats different groups — often reinforcing inequality.
What is “Orientalism”?
A concept by Edward Said — the West portrays the East as exotic, backward, or dangerous.
What’s an example of Orientalism?
Hollywood often shows Arabs as terrorists or women as oppressed, feeding negative stereotypes.
What is “Othering”?
Defining someone as fundamentally different and inferior in order to feel superior.
How does the West define itself through Othering?
As rational, modern, civilised — by contrasting with the “irrational” and “primitive” Other.
How is the world hierarchical according to Postcolonialism?
It’s structured so that white, Western countries remain dominant.
What does Postcolonialism say about “universal” values?
Many “universal” values are actually just Western ideals imposed on others.
How is aid or development sometimes a form of control?
It keeps countries dependent and frames the West as the saviour.
What does Shampa Biswas say about nuclear weapons?
The West sees non-Western countries as irrational and unfit to possess nukes.
Who actually used nuclear weapons in war?
The United States — yet it still dominates nuclear policy.
Why are countries like Iran or North Korea feared more than the U.S. or Israel?
Because of racist and colonial assumptions about trust, civilisation, and stability.
How does Postcolonialism challenge security studies?
It reveals how race and colonial bias shape who is seen as a threat.
What’s the issue with terms like “developing” or “Third World”?
They reinforce inequality and suggest some countries are naturally behind.
How did colonial borders cause modern conflict?
Colonial powers drew borders with no regard for cultures or history, causing division.
How is colonialism still present economically?
Former colonies are locked into unequal trade and debt relationships with the West.
What’s an example of resource extraction today?
Western companies extracting oil, gold, or minerals from Africa and Latin America.
How did colonisers shape today’s governments in former colonies?
Many postcolonial states were left with authoritarian systems and weak institutions.
