Liberalism and Colonialism
Liberalism and Colonialism
The form of rule known as liberalism is one that is generally accepted worldwide as an ideology which is rational and promotes freedom, life, liberty and protection of individual rights. Many of the world's political systems are based on the values and concepts evident in liberalism. Historically, the ideals of liberalism were revolutionary especially during the time of this ideology's emergence. However, in order to fully comprehend the strengths and weaknesses of liberalism it is necessary to examine the preceding form of rule; colonialism. Colonialism from a modern standpoint is considered to be a "system of domination" (Colonialism, pg 4). Generally it is viewed as a system of rule that resulted in the destruction of land, people and cultures; the disastrous effects of which are still echoing around the world. However, I will argue that even though liberalism and colonialism have several significant differences; there are few similarities between the two. The similarities between liberalism and colonialism constitute conflicts within liberalism and these conflicts are evident in today's political structures. The purpose of liberalism was to promote individual freedom and equality, yet some of the presuppositions of liberalism were based on the inequalities of colonialism. To prove this the following will compare and contrast colonialism and liberalism by examining in each the definitions of the forms of rule and how they emerged, the central focus (core concepts), as well as the assumptions and contradictions both entail.
In terms of definition liberalism and colonialism are so starkly different it seems almost impossible to conceive of any similarities between the two. According to Osterhammel the definition of colonialism is: "a relationship of domination between an indigenous (or forcibly imported) majority of foreign invaders. The fundamental decisions affecting the lives of the colonized people are made and implemented by
The form of rule known as liberalism is one that is generally accepted worldwide as an ideology which is rational and promotes freedom, life, liberty and protection of individual rights. Many of the world's political systems are based on the values and concepts evident in liberalism. Historically, the ideals of liberalism were revolutionary especially during the time of this ideology's emergence. However, in order to fully comprehend the strengths and weaknesses of liberalism it is necessary to examine the preceding form of rule; colonialism. Colonialism from a modern standpoint is considered to be a "system of domination" (Colonialism, pg 4). Generally it is viewed as a system of rule that resulted in the destruction of land, people and cultures; the disastrous effects of which are still echoing around the world. However, I will argue that even though liberalism and colonialism have several significant differences; there are few similarities between the two. The similarities between liberalism and colonialism constitute conflicts within liberalism and these conflicts are evident in today's political structures. The purpose of liberalism was to promote individual freedom and equality, yet some of the presuppositions of liberalism were based on the inequalities of colonialism. To prove this the following will compare and contrast colonialism and liberalism by examining in each the definitions of the forms of rule and how they emerged, the central focus (core concepts), as well as the assumptions and contradictions both entail.
In terms of definition liberalism and colonialism are so starkly different it seems almost impossible to conceive of any similarities between the two. According to Osterhammel the definition of colonialism is: "a relationship of domination between an indigenous (or forcibly imported) majority of foreign invaders. The fundamental decisions affecting the lives of the colonized people are made and implemented by