Colonialism: good or bad?
Some time ago I got to think about the effects of colonialism. Is it good or bad? I suppose in essence, for the people being colonised, it cannot be a good thing. The idea of colonialism is to take resources from one country to use for the benefit of the colonising country. Some may argue they did it out of religion: to spread the gospel. But in reality, it comes from the power struggle within Europe. It is a competition in resources, military muscles, political agendas, at a time when Europe began its booming age.
But, that's not what got me thinking. What daunt on me the one day is the different impact that colonialism has on its colonised territories. I may not be correct in saying the following, after all it is only my personal observation...
One thing for sure, all colonised countries go through a period of downward spiral after liberation. But if we look at the world today, some interesting scenarios emerged. While some countries took what they learnt from their coloniser, i.e. technological advancement, and used it to its own advantage, some even manage to surpass its past oppressor. On the other hand, there are countries which struggled or is still struggling, in civil wars, in economic upheavals, and various other problems. What is often used as scape goat for these countries' current reality is... Colonialism. If the white men did not come to our country and ruin everything... If the white men did not take away our natural resources... If the white men...
Surely, we've all heard of such hypotheses. But my question is: What sets the successful previous colonies apart from the rest? Why are they not complaining about the white men? And what was done differently that make them successful today? Some examples: India, colonised by the British, was ruled by a "young" country compared to its rich & long history. But according to one Indian historian (his view may not be true for all, but), who said it was because of the British, we now have a united India. And today, India has one of the world's fastest growing economy, the IT hub of the world, and one of the BRICs countries which is on its way to become one of the future superpowers.
Another example, Taiwan, used to be one of the Four Tigers of Asia. It was colonised by Japan in the 19th Century. Taiwan was rich in natural resources, such as coal, timbre and fishery. It also provided staple food supply, i.e. rice, sugar, during the Second World War. In fact, Japan would have exited the War much sooner, if it did not have food and other much needed supply to fuel its war in Asia. But Taiwan's later success was based on the foundation of what the Japanese left behind. Basic education meaning high literacy rate, with a strong elite - doctors, lawyers, bankers, economists, artists, etc. Japan also established telephone lines and road systems; upgraded railroad systems. Although Japan invested in all these infrastructural developments for its own strategic presence on the island. The people of Taiwan was able to use these to its own advantage.
I think perhaps before blaming our misfortunes on past events that we cannot change, we should ask ourselves what can we do to change our situations TODAY. Every person/country in this world has its own unique background. Some are luckier than others over the years/centuries, but it is our current actions that set us apart.
Colonialism: good or bad? It all depends on what you do with it.
But, that's not what got me thinking. What daunt on me the one day is the different impact that colonialism has on its colonised territories. I may not be correct in saying the following, after all it is only my personal observation...
One thing for sure, all colonised countries go through a period of downward spiral after liberation. But if we look at the world today, some interesting scenarios emerged. While some countries took what they learnt from their coloniser, i.e. technological advancement, and used it to its own advantage, some even manage to surpass its past oppressor. On the other hand, there are countries which struggled or is still struggling, in civil wars, in economic upheavals, and various other problems. What is often used as scape goat for these countries' current reality is... Colonialism. If the white men did not come to our country and ruin everything... If the white men did not take away our natural resources... If the white men...
Surely, we've all heard of such hypotheses. But my question is: What sets the successful previous colonies apart from the rest? Why are they not complaining about the white men? And what was done differently that make them successful today? Some examples: India, colonised by the British, was ruled by a "young" country compared to its rich & long history. But according to one Indian historian (his view may not be true for all, but), who said it was because of the British, we now have a united India. And today, India has one of the world's fastest growing economy, the IT hub of the world, and one of the BRICs countries which is on its way to become one of the future superpowers.
Another example, Taiwan, used to be one of the Four Tigers of Asia. It was colonised by Japan in the 19th Century. Taiwan was rich in natural resources, such as coal, timbre and fishery. It also provided staple food supply, i.e. rice, sugar, during the Second World War. In fact, Japan would have exited the War much sooner, if it did not have food and other much needed supply to fuel its war in Asia. But Taiwan's later success was based on the foundation of what the Japanese left behind. Basic education meaning high literacy rate, with a strong elite - doctors, lawyers, bankers, economists, artists, etc. Japan also established telephone lines and road systems; upgraded railroad systems. Although Japan invested in all these infrastructural developments for its own strategic presence on the island. The people of Taiwan was able to use these to its own advantage.
I think perhaps before blaming our misfortunes on past events that we cannot change, we should ask ourselves what can we do to change our situations TODAY. Every person/country in this world has its own unique background. Some are luckier than others over the years/centuries, but it is our current actions that set us apart.
Colonialism: good or bad? It all depends on what you do with it.
posted by jule at
5:04 AM
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