imperialism

King's Foundations: Culture and Society

Engagement Ethos

  • Support: Be considerate, practice confidentiality, and share empathy for the experiences of others.

  • Challenge: Be curious and ask for clarification when needed, while respectfully questioning ideas.

  • Connect: Be present, listen actively, and build on comments to work towards shared understanding.

  • Include: Be authentic, welcoming diverse views and beliefs. Question ideas, not people.

Lecture Outline

  1. Definition and theoretical underpinnings

  2. Imperialism: positive or negative?

  3. Summative Assessment Q&A

1. Definition and Theoretical Underpinnings

Imperialism: Definitions

  • Imperialism: Defined as the “principle or policy of empire; the advocacy of holding political dominion or control over dependent territories” (Oxford University Press, n.d., a).

  • Empire: An “extensive territory under the control of a supreme ruler (typically an emperor) or an oligarchy, often consisting of an aggregate of many separate states or territories” (Oxford University Press, n.d., b).

  • Colonialism: The “principle, policy, or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country and occupying it with settlers; the principle, policy, or practice of maintaining colonies” (Oxford University Press, n.d., c).

Process, Policies, and Ideology

  • The process involves:

    • Policies that facilitate imperial expansion.

    • Ideologies which justify imperialism.

  • Question: Do these ideologies ever justify imperialism?

Importance of Imperialism

  • Although some argue that the era of imperialism has ended, many question its legacy.

  • The dominance of historical empires significantly influences today’s global political and cultural landscape.

  • Contemporary Context: There exist ongoing debates about how to teach about empires in educational institutions.

The Ideas of John Hobson

  • John Hobson: A liberal thinker, wrote "Imperialism: A Study" (1902) — an influential theoretical text exploring early 20th-century European empires.

  • Key distinctions made by Hobson:

    • Traditional Land-Based Empires: Viewed as normal and natural, reflecting genuine nationalist expansion.

    • Overseas Imperialism: Driven predominantly by economic factors.

    • New Imperialism: Refers to the late 19th-century surge of overseas expansion by European powers.

2. Arguments in Favor of Imperialism

Historical Perspective: The Roman Empire

  • Ancient Rome:

    • Republic established in 509 BCE; largest territorial extent reached in 116 CE.

  • Seen positively in the Western tradition due to concepts like Pax Romana (Roman Peace), especially noted during 95-180 CE.

  • Edward Gibbon described this period as “the history of the world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous.”

The Civilizing Mission

  • European empires viewed their role as a mission to civilize what they perceived as inferior races (“La mission civilatrice”). Jules Ferry stated that higher races have a duty to civilize others.

  • Impact of practices like Sati (suttee): British banned this Hindu custom in 1829, presenting the act as a civilizing endeavor.

British Empire Positives

  • Niall Ferguson (2003): Although the British Empire had negative aspects, it also contributed to:

    • Spread of Pax Britannica (British Peace)

    • Promotion of capitalism and democracy

    • Proliferation of the English language

    • Introduction of a British legal system and ideals of freedom

    • Establishment of a global communication network

2. Arguments Against Imperialism

Negative Viewpoints on Imperialism

  • Expansion through conquest without the consent of conquered peoples.

  • Brutal suppression of dissent and the voices of those opposed to imperial rule.

  • Comparison to Historical Figures: The rebellions and resistance against empires likened to the exploits of Genghis Khan or Atilla the Hun (Gott, 2011b).

Perspectives from Franz Fanon

  • Frantz Fanon: Declared, “Colonialism is not satisfied merely with holding a people in its grip and emptying the native’s brain… it distorts, disfigures and destroys” (Fanon, 1963).

  • Argued that wealth is not produced by labor but results from organized, protected robbery.

Analyses by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

  • Ngũgĩ states, “The bullet was the means of physical subjugation; language was the means of spiritual subjugation” (Ngũgĩ, 1986).

  • Asserts that language embodies the memory of a people’s historical experience; economic and political control must also include mental control for effectiveness.

References

  • Fanon, F. (1963). The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.

  • Ferguson, N. (2003). Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. Penguin.

  • Gott, R. (2011a). Britain's Empire: Resistance, Repression and Revolt. Verso Books.

  • Gott, R. (2011b). Let’s end the myths of Britain’s imperial past. The Guardian.

  • Hobson, J. A. (2018 [1902]). Imperialism: A Study. Routledge.

  • Jalata, A. (2013). The impacts of English colonial terrorism and genocide on Indigenous/Black Australians. Sage Open.

  • Lal, D. (2004). In Praise of Empires: Globalization and Order. Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Lenin, V. I. (1965 [1917]). Imperialism: The Highest Form of Capitalism. Progress Publishers.

  • Marx, K. (1853). 'The British Rule in India', Daily Tribune.

  • Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o, N. (1986). Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. James Currey.

  • Oxford University Press. (n.d. a). Imperialism.

  • Oxford University Press. (n.d. b). Empire.

  • Oxford University Press. (n.d. c). Colonialism.