Colonialism.Colonialism colonialism Control by one power over a dependent area or people. The purposes of colonialism include economic exploitation of the colony's natural resources, creation of new markets for the colonizer, and extension of the colonizer's way of life beyond its national borders. . Norrie MacQueen. Longman. [pounds sterling]9.99 p.b. xxiv + 198 pages. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 978-1-4059-4630-1. The short study is part of the 'Short History of a Big Idea' series. For Mr MacQueen colonialism has been 'perhaps the single most powerful force shaping the world we inhabit'. Nation-states, languages, customs, borders, wars, religions, cultural heritages--all have been affected by colonialism, by which here is meant European (not American, Japanese or Chinese) colonialism. Although the text concentrates on the nineteenth century it begins with a survey of colonial settlements following trade routes from the sixteenth century. The text then examines colonialism after 1918, the differing types of colonial rule adopted by countries such as Britain, Holland or France, the epoch of decolonisation n. 1. same as decolonization. Noun 1. decolonisation - the action of changing from colonial to independent status decolonization group action - action taken by a group of people and, finally, the post-colonial world. Mr MacQueen has no doubt but that colonialism 'had at its heart greed, prejudice, complacency and hypocrisy rather than generosity and altruism'. Such blanket denunciations may read well to left-leaning readers but do they really sum up British and European colonialism? One thinks not. (T.A.L.) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion