Journal 4

Explain the lingering effects of colonialism and how it is still playing a role in hindering
economic development in the developing world.
Abstract
Around the world today, intractable conflict is found in many areas that were once colonized
or controlled by Western European or Soviet Powers (i.e., Africa, the Balkans, Southeast
Asia, the Middle East, South America). Western colonial expansion began during the 15 th
century when Spanish and Portuguese explorers conquered new lands in the West Indies
and the Americas. I continued for over 400 years, and ended with the start of the first World
War. By that time western powers such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium,
Portugal and Spain, spurred on by their competitive desire to acquire new lands and
resources, had colonized the whole of Africa and the areas that we know today as the
Americas, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and many parts
of Asia.

Introduction
Providing a concrete definition of the term necessitates a comparative perspective on the
concept of imperialism, the difficulty of defining colonialism is based on the synonymous
usage with imperialism. Both terms are form of conquest but mainly differ in its individual
nature. On this case, both colonialism and imperialism are evaluated yet special illumination
is given toward the former. Colonialism is derived from Latin word colonus,which means
farmers.Colonialism is a system in which a state claims sovereignty over territory and
people outside its own boundaries; or a system of rule which assumes the right of one people
to impose their will upon another.During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, rich,
powerful states, including Britain and other European countries, owned third world colonies.
Third world originally referred to countries that did not belong to the democratic,
industrialized countries of the West ( the First World) or the state-socialist, industrializing,
Soviet bloc countries (the Second World). The motives of colonialism are rooted on the
principles of nationalism, economy, and culture (God, Gold, and Glory). Colonialism exists
long before it was documented. Colonialism, according to historians and political scientists,
has long term negative and perhaps positive, consequences. Such might include the possible
inability of former colonies to transition themselves towards self-development and possible
effect of resource extraction (Feyrer, 2007).
The causality of colonialism impacts largerly the developing world such as Africa,
Asia, Middle East and Latin America. Such effects are manifested on political, economic,
social, technological, spiritual, demographical and physical construct. For the first example of
lingering effect of colonialism are on self- image and identity. The cultural impact of
colonialism is evident on language, religions and traditions (Obadina, 2000). For instance,
when the Great Britain colonized India, the English language rapidly penetrated the country
and the indegenous language of the natives were wiped-out gradually. The traditional culture
was altered and the Indians were forced to adapt the European customs, belief and practices.
Many roands, railways and harbours were built under the British regime. Generally, the
prevailing impact of colonialism points towards the weakness of decision-makers and leaders.
The leadership fails to increase, or even retain, the physical legacies of colonialism. A
controversial issues arises and aid relief impinges on the ability of developing nations to
establishing decent services and linking the government and its people. In effect, the
accountability and trust between the government and the governed is compromised
( Chandra, 1992). In effect, aid and debt are fostering a culture of complete dependency and

irresponsibility. Thus, the tribal leadership system in Africa and other legal entities in the
developing countries are increasingly being futile. Futhermore, on sense of community and
community mortality also have ben affected from colonialism. Colonial rule has a long- term
impact on boundaries, inclusion and division of cultural groups (Obadina, 2000). The impact
of colonialism on demography is evidenced by the degree of ethnic heterogeneity in different
countries. In connection, the political culture of the ruled triggers the subject culture.
Members of the community or the natives are treated as subject and not participants. Thus,
many race, individuals and countries are detached from the real world.
For the evaluation of effect colonialism on the developing country, there are several
things that we must higlighted, First, colonialism nurtures underdevelopment and encourages
the culture of dependency. The excessive exploitation of colonies, the draining of resources
and the growth of dependency are all evidence that colonization harnesses the struggle of
developing nations into self-progress. Ex-colonies countries are extremely poor today. In
return, poor countries relied on developed nations regarding loans, technology, military
support, markets and culture (Chandra, 1992). Second, colonialism weakens the legal and
educational systems of colonized country. Many argued that the political crisis in Africa were
product of imposing alien rules. In meeting administrative and economic needs, the
colonizers educated some Africans to assist them in running the colonies (Obadina, 2000).
Practically, the Africans were honed to take orders and obey and not to think. Thus, literacy
and indipendence still suffers within the continent. Third, colonialism exploits the natural
resources within the colonized country and shaped the modern trade. The colonies were
deprived of own valuable mineral, agricultural and other resources (Chandra, 1992). In
conncetion, the colonizers have established linkages in the world system which enables them
to manipulate trading and markets. Since it is possible for the rulers to produce at their
comparative advantage, colonialism gave them the power to specialize in production and
dispose surpluses at the expence of the colonized nation and its people. Moreover, the
introduction of the physical infrastructures also enables them to manage the movement of
primary produvts and imported goods. The colonizers also seek and create new markets
wherein they can sell the produce. Fourth, colonialism led to the dipersion of the people and
the blurring of communal identity. The colonial rule engaged in widespread forced
tranplantation of people specifically Africans. Because of this, the sense of community had
increasingly become obsolete. The subsequent result of such was the sense of inferiority of
the natives and a sense of confidence on the colonizers (Chandra, 1992).

Conclusion
More than the economic and political impact of colonialism, colonialism has affected the
tradition and sense of identity of the colonized countries more specifically the developing
nations. The struggle of eliminating brutal effects and maintaining the positive legacies of
colonialism is evident in these countries. Many argued that amongst the colonized, Africa has
tre most damaged to fix and the next would be India. Inregardeless of which coutry it is, the
causative factors of colonialism covers both the internal and external aspects of a specific
country. Internally, there are language disparities and diversities in cultures, traditions and
religions. The communal ownership of the people of their own resources, custome and beliefs
is also being sacrificed and that the government cannot do something about it because they
are either under the power of certain rulers or they do not possess the qualities of a true
leader. Colonialism gave way to dependency and underdevelopment. While the colonizers are
maximizing the use of natural resourcer at their advantage, they are gradually creating an
environmment that they will solelybenefit including the production and illiteracy. At large,
colonialism benefits only those who have power and make weaker nations inferior through
imperial dominion and power control beyond national borders. The colonizers imposed
different rules on their comparative advantege which could be the reason why developing
nations are still struggling into development.
References
Chandra, R. 1992. Industrialization and Development in the Third World. New York.
Routledge
Feyrer, J. 2007. Colonialism and Modern Income. New York.
Obadina, T. 2000. The Myth of Neo-Colonialism. African Economic Analysis.