{"id":124,"date":"2021-08-21T15:57:31","date_gmt":"2021-08-21T19:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/?page_id=124"},"modified":"2021-11-17T11:30:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T16:30:39","slug":"post-colonial-predicament","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/post-colonial-predicament\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Colonial Predicament"},"content":{"rendered":"

PART IV<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this section of our course, I address the dilemma of building viable Nation-states<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0Post-Colonial World<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Up to now, we have discussed nation-state identities–liberalism and Leninism–that are fairly easy to pin down.\u00a0 But, what does one do with the rest of the world?\u00a0 Americans frequently lob all of the countries (and problematic countries) into a category called the “Third World.”\u00a0 Perhaps this simplistic depiction of other peoples is due to the fact that Americans travel so\u00a0 much less than than, say, our European counterparts? The problem with a grab-all concept like “Third World” is that it obscures the many, many different civilizations that do not lend themselves to easy generalization.\u00a0 After all,\u00a0 it doesn’t make sense–and it simply won’t work–to put countries like Chile and Argentina in the same box as Sudan and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

My solution to this challenge is to narrow our focus by concentrating on a specific category of states that have one thing in common:\u00a0 the experience of European colonization\u00a0 This approach has a notable benefit. \u00a0Many of the major crises in the world today are at least partly due to the experience of European colonialism.\u00a0 These countries include Afghanistan, one of the great tragedies of our day.<\/p>\n

As always, I am continuing my story about the elusive form of political identity known as the nation-state.\u00a0 Now, we will look at states that, in many cases, aren’t nation-states at all.\u00a0 Many of them are not even states; they are, like Afghanistan, failed states.<\/p>\n


\n27. \u00a0LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, November 1<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Initial reflections on the contradictions\u00a0between\u00a0\u00a0two ideal types: tradition and modernity<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 People in the West frequently denigrate the cultures of the inhabitants of traditional societies.\u00a0 Yet, the norms and institutions of traditional society are as rational as those of modern society.<\/p>\n

A good example of \u00a0liberal democracy\u2019s problem with the expression of traditional ways of acting is the French practice of\u00a0Laicit\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n

Angelique Chrisafis,\u00a0\u201cFrance\u2019s Headscarf Rule,\u201d\u00a0The Guardian<\/em>,\u201d July 2013 \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Part of our tendency to denigrate other peoples and cultures is due to our hubristic conception of our place in history. Remember Weber’s point about how our Protestant predecessors regarded themseles as saved by God.\u00a0 To cite one example of our hubris, we repeatedly hear that so-called Third World countries are invariably corrupt.\u00a0 Yet despite the western assumption that liberal capitalist societies are governed solely by impersonal rules of order, traditional practices, like political corruption, play an undeniable part in liberal-democratic<\/strong> societies, too.\u00a0 See here:<\/p>\n

See Glen Thrush, \u201cIf I\u2019m corrupt, it\u2019s because I take care of my district\u201d\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a> (Until his death in 2010, John Murtha, the subject of this article, had been the longest serving representative in the House of Representatives.\u00a0 Most likely, this was the result of taking care of a lot of people!\u00a0 But taking care of whom in particular?\u00a0 Ah\u2026).<\/p>\n

Please watch the wonderful film, \u201cMister Johnson” by Wednesday.\u00a0 See our on-line Hesburgh Reserves site\u00a0 HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

28. \u00a0LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, November 3<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on the brutal and paradoxical consequences of colonial empires<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 In this lecture, I will focus on colonialism\u2019s role as an external instrument of change.\u00a0 Whether we are talking about the realization of Napoleon\u2019s imperial ambitions in Europe or Europe\u2019s colonial conquests of most of Africa and Asia one century later, the intrusion of these powers repeatedly challenged the stability and integrity of other peoples and cultures.\u00a0 Well after these powers left, as we shall see in the coming weeks, their continued to be felt for decades and even centuries thereafter.\u00a0 The tragedy of Afghanistan, which I shall discuss today, is a tragedy of colonization and of repeatedly attempted but consistently failed exercises in foreign domination.<\/p>\n

Please read these articles to get a sense for the roots of the tragedy of Afghanistan:<\/p>\n

Stephen Tanner, “Indomitable Afghanistan:\u00a0 Why the country remains unconquered”\u00a0 READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Carter Malkesian,”What America didn’t understand about its longest war,”\u00a0Politico<\/em>, July 6, 2021 \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

29. NO DISCUSSION S<\/strong>ECTION:\u00a0 Friday, November 5<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You have been writing your papers<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

30.\u00a0 LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, November 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Reflections on the sensible logic of peasant society.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0 There are more peasants in the world than any other social group.\u00a0 The organization of peasant societies makes more sense than we might imagine.\u00a0 It relies upon a conception of reality known as the \u201climited good.\u201d\u00a0 The \u201climited good\u201d is neither good nor bad.\u00a0 It is simple one way of looking at the world.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 Read George Foster\u2019s seminal article and the newspaper piece below and ask yourself what the advantages and disadvantages of peasant society would be.\u00a0 Do you agree with all of Foster\u2019s claims?<\/p>\n

George Foster: \u201cPeasant society and the image of the limited good\u201d\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Sara Sidner, \u201cBrothers share wife to secure family land\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

On the rational logic behind primogeniture:\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Then, read about the massive migration of peasants from the land into the cities, a quintessential example of the conflict between traditional and modern societies.<\/p>\n

Eugene Linden, \u201cThe exploding cities of the developing world,\u201d Jan-Feb;75(1), 1996:\u00a0 52-65. Search through JSTOR and\u00a0PRINT and READ<\/a><\/p>\n

US citizens immigrate too!<\/p>\n

And why not immigrate permanently to South Bend? You could bring desperately needed labor resources to our region.\u00a0 And, it will certainly help my home value.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Vera Cohn, \u201cAbout a fifth of U.S. adults moved due to COVID-19 or know someone who did,\u201d\u00a0Pew Research Center<\/em>, July 6, 2020\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

31. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, November 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on a global problem\u2014poverty\u2014and its implications for life, society, and politics.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>:\u00a0\u00a0 Being poor is a way of life for\u00a0most<\/em>\u00a0people in the world. No student at the University of Notre Dame should be indifferent to the plight of the poor, especially while living on one of the most conspicuously affluent campuses in the world!\u00a0 In addition, poverty is not only a problem for other peoples.\u00a0 It is a problem for Americans as well because it is deeply embedded in our society, indeed arguably to a much greater extent than in any other modern industrial democracy.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s class, please read the first half of\u00a0 Carolina Maria de Jesus,\u00a0\u00a0Child of the Dark<\/em>.\u00a0 De Jesus\u2019s story is painfully revealing. \u00a0As you read it, try to imagine what you would do if you found yourself in her shoes.\u00a0 Keep in mind that Carolina Maria\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0a living, breathing human being, just like you; she had\u00a0nothing<\/strong><\/em>\u2013often not even food in her stomach\u2013and she somehow managed to write this incredible diary.<\/p>\n

Carolina Maria de Jesus,\u00a0\u00a0Child of the Dark<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ana Swanson, \u201cYou might be among the richest people in the world and not realize it\u201d\u00a0Washington Post\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Gapminder<\/em>:\u00a0 Look\u00a0HERE<\/a>\u00a0for some of some very cool sources of information. \u00a0Gapminder is like an interactive game designed to take you through every imaginable data (e.g., live births, literacy rates, income) relevant to comparisons between the developed and developing world.\u00a0 For some of the topics, you can even manipulate the information over time, going back hundreds of years.\u00a0 I could play around with this device all evening.<\/p>\n

Jesse McKinley, \u201cCities deal with a surge in shanty towns\u201d \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

32. DISCUSSION SECTION: Friday, November 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn\u00a0 \u00a0(<\/em>World English Bible)<\/p>\n

What does this passage entail?<\/p>\n

Readings:<\/p>\n

By today’s discussion section, you should have completed\u00a0Child of the Dark<\/em><\/p>\n

What message might Carlolina Maria de Jesus to convey to American citizens?<\/p>\n

What is a Roman Catholic\u2019s responsibility to the poor?\u00a0 Leondardo Boff, a key proponent of \u201cliberation theology,\u201d comments:\u00a0\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

On the poverty of voluntourism\u00a0 READ<\/a><\/p>\n

The inequality of opportunity in America:\u00a0\u00a0WATCH<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 I particularly like the reference to John 3: 17-18.<\/p>\n

Can Notre Dame be a truly Catholic institution and not practice liberation theology?\u00a0 What would it mean to practice liberation theology.\u00a0 Interestingly, the preeminent figure in liberation theology, Gustavo Guti\u00e9rrez, teaches at Notre Dame!\u00a0 See\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

Paragraph assignment:<\/p>\n

\u201cCan Notre Dame be a truly Catholic institution and not practice liberation theology?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

32. LECTURE: Monday, November 15<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Reflections on a popular form of authoritarian government:\u00a0\u00a0 Big men with big guns, big appetites, and big mouths, thinking they can solve big problems.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Assumption<\/em>: Western policymakers frequently rationalize life under dictatorial regimes (e.g., Saudi Arabia) as a political necessity.\u00a0 But cozying up to dictators is risky.\u00a0 Can we\u00a0confidently say that we\u00a0are the best judges of necessity, especially when we are talking about the quality of\u00a0other<\/em>\u00a0people\u2019s lives?\u00a0 We sometimes forget or ignore the fact\u2013tragically\u2013that ordinary people\u00a0must live under these regimes.<\/p>\n

Assignment<\/em>:\u00a0 As you read about these regimes, ask yourself these questions: 1) Why would people support them? 2) How can\u00a0the autocrats live with themselves after\u00a0doing terrible things\u00a0to stay in power? and 3) What should we do with them after they are no longer in power?<\/p>\n

Patricia Sellers, \u201cWhat exactly is charisma?\u201d \u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Steve Kolowich, \u201cWhy Oprah Could be President\u201d\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Robert Kagan, \u201cThe Strongmen Strike Back,\u00a0Washington Post<\/em>, March 14, 2019\u00a0PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PART IV In this section of our course, I address the dilemma of building viable Nation-states\u00a0in the\u00a0Post-Colonial World. Up to now, we have discussed nation-state identities–liberalism and Leninism–that are fairly easy to pin down.\u00a0 But, what does one do with the rest of the world?\u00a0 Americans frequently lob all of the countries (and problematic countries) … Continue reading “Post-Colonial Predicament”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-124","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":812,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/124\/revisions\/812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}