{"id":41,"date":"2022-12-26T12:34:23","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T17:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/?page_id=41"},"modified":"2023-08-24T22:22:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T02:22:10","slug":"post-colonial","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/post-colonial\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Colonialism"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

In this section of our course, I address the dilemma of building viable\u00a0Nation-states<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0Post-Colonial World<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Up to now, we have examined several types of nation-state identities\u2013liberalism, fascism, and Leninism\u2013that are fairly easy to pin down.\u00a0 But, what does one do with the many countries that don’t fall easily under these rubrics?\u00a0 Americans frequently lob all of the countries (and problematic countries) into a category called the \u201cThird World.\u201d\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 \u201cThird\"\" World\u201d is that it obscures the many, many different civilizations that do not lend themselves to easy generalization.\u00a0 After all,\u00a0 it doesn\u2019t make sense\u2013and it simply won\u2019t work\u2013to put countries like Chile and Argentina in the same box as Sudan and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

The same problems also arise with the new term that has been invented to resolve this confusion: the Global South. True, there are (I think) more developing countries to the South of the Equator. Nonetheless, in terms of categorization, what does one do with highly industrialized, advanced democracies like Australia and New Zealand, and again Chile and Argentina?<\/p>\n

My solution to this problem is to narrow our focus by concentrating on a specific category of states that have one thing in common:\u00a0 a relatively experience of European colonization\u00a0 This approach has a notable benefit. Many of the major crises in the world today are at least partly due to the experience of a specific period of European colonialism which began in the second half of the 19th century.\u00a0 These countries include Afghanistan. The country’s most recent take-over by fanatics is one of the greatest, ongoing tragedies of our day.<\/p>\n

My focus on the consequences of European colonialism relates directly to my continuing story about the elusive form of political identity known as the nation-state.\u00a0 In this section of the course, we will look at states that are struggling with the challenge of building nation-states, especially democratic nation-states. Some of them are not even states; they are, like Afghanistan, not only failed democracies but failed states.<\/p>\n


\n29. \u00a0LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, March 29<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A comparison of two 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.\u00a0 They are simply based upon different cognitions and values. Personally, I find some of the attributes of traditional society to be superior to those of modern societies.<\/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 the Western tendency to denigrate other peoples and cultures is due to our hubristic conception of our place in history. Remember Weber\u2019s point about how our “Protestant” predecessors regarded themselves 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 contrary the western knee-jerk assumption that liberal capitalist societies are governed solely by impersonal rules of order, political corruption plays an undeniably present in liberal-democratic<\/strong> societies, too. See here:<\/p>\n

See Glen Thrush, \u201cIf I\u2019m corrupt, it\u2019s because I take care of my district\u201d\u00a0 READ<\/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

In the eyes of many people in developing countries, we also have legalized forms of corruption.\u00a0 Consider the relationship between powerful lobbies and political campaigns.\u00a0 Or, in an example that affects the fortunes of Notre Dame athletics, consider the SEC’s exploitation of unregulated Name\/Image\/Likeness opportunities to pay for the services of “amateur” athletes.<\/p>\n

On the positive side, we could also gain a lot by following the example of traditional societies and cultures.\u00a0 Here is an article about how a traditional society’s emphasis on the value of “dependence” could provide a valuable antidote to the dysfunctional consequences of America’s\u00a0 cultivation of the myth of “heroic individualism” Alissa Quart, “Can We put an End to America’s Most Dangerous Myth,” PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

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“Mr. Johnson”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

REQUIRED FILM<\/span>: Please watch the wonderful film, \u201cMister Johnson.”.\u00a0 Go to our on-line Hesburgh Reserves site<\/p>\n

As you watch the film, think about how the protagonist, Mister Johnson, is caught between two worlds and then crushed by the contradictions of this relationship. What are the defining differences between these worlds, and in the case of Nigeria, the domestic contradictions of modern and traditional norms?<\/p>\n

30. Discussion Section: March 31.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You will be completing your discussion of Havel on this date.\u00a0 For the topic, see the preceding section on the bottom of this page: Marxism and Leninism.<\/p>\n

YOUR SECOND ESSAY ASSIGNMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deadline: Wednesday, April 12 at 9:00 am<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

31. \u00a0LECTURE:\u00a0 Monday, April 3\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Look closely at the historical evolution of western colonial empires on this fascination map of the globe.<\/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 or the US’s colonial ambitions in the early 20th century, 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 repeated attempts 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, \u201cIndomitable Afghanistan:\u00a0 Why the country remains unconquered\u201d\u00a0\u00a0READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Carter Malkesian,\u201dWhat America didn\u2019t understand about its longest war,\u201d\u00a0Politico<\/em>, July 6, 2021 \u00a0READ<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h5>\n

32. LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, April 5<\/em><\/strong>:<\/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 an ideal-typical peasant society would be.<\/p>\n

In reading Foster’s challenging article (from which I have included excerpts), keep in mind that his style of argumentation bears all of the earmarks of western condescension toward traditional societies. Still, there is a lot of truth to his argument. Also, his conclusions can be read in a way that is not condescending at all.\u00a0 One way to counter the western bias is to identify ways in which a “limited good” mentality is present in our own society.\u00a0 For example, consider the competitive behavior of high school students aspiring to get into the best universities.\u00a0 In the words of a great revolutionary, “many are called, but few are chosen.”<\/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 Hesburgh Library On-line journals and PRINT and READ<\/a><\/p>\n

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

And why not encourage all kinds of people to migrate permanently to South Bend?\u00a0 We now have a labor shortage in the US.\u00a0 Economists agree that the availability of labor is essential for economic growth. We 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

In the truest spirit of the celebration of Easter, begin reading Carolina Maria de Jesus, Child of the Dark.\u00a0<\/em>De Jesus is a child of Jesus.\u00a0 Her extraordinary diary is directly related to the Easter celebration.<\/p>\n

EASTER BREAK<\/h5>\n

Friday, April 7 – Sunday, April<\/strong> 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

33. LECTURE: Wednesday, April 12\u00a0<\/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 at least the first half of\u00a0 Carolina Maria de Jesus,\u00a0 Child 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> for some of some very cool sources of information about international inequality. \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

The US has shantytowns, too.\u00a0 Many are are the result of domestic migration and homelessness.\u00a0 Cities like Oakland and San Francisco are overwhelmed by the internal movement of citizens from one location to another.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Highly Recommended<\/em>:\u00a0 Eve Bratman, “Development’s Paradox: is Washington DC a Third World city?”\u00a0 HERE<\/a> (Hesburgh on-line) A superb and provocative article.\u00a0 There are interesting similarities between poverty in the US and poverty in less-developed economies.\u00a0 However, it’s important to ask whether the causes<\/em> are the same.\u00a0 I think the US is a special case.\u00a0 Other advanced, industrialized democracies have far less engrained poverty than the US. How would you explain this disparity?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

34. DISCUSSION SECTION: Friday, April 14<\/em><\/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 do you make of this passage?\u00a0 How might it relate to our course.<\/p>\n

Readings:<\/p>\n

Carolina Maria de Jesus, Child of the Dark<\/em><\/p>\n

What message would Carolina Maria de Jesus want 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

35.\u00a0 <\/strong>CLASS VISIT:\u00a0\u00a0Monday, April 17<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A conversation about\u00a0Hope<\/em>\u00a0with Mary Kate Battle<\/strong> (ND \u201910) of Catholic Relief Services (and yet another survivor of World Politics). Mary Kate is a\u00a0member of the inaugural class of the Domer Dozen:\u00a0\u00a0WATCH<\/a><\/p>\n

Mary Kate will talk about the challenges of combating poverty and violence in her work with Catholic Relief Services and CRS’s approach to the Catholic concept of Integral Human Development.\u00a0 She will also share some reflections on her current work on helping children who are separated from their families and getting them into safe family environments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mary Kate has requested that you read the following material in preparation for her remarks. Also, I suggest that you think about Carolina Maria de Jesus while reading these pages.<\/p>\n

Required readings:<\/p>\n

Vaclav Havel, “Never Hope against Hope”\u00a0 PRINT AND READ<\/a><\/p>\n

Catholic Relief Services, “Integral Human Development Framework”\u00a0 READ THROUGH THIS TO ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THE TOPIC<\/a> (This link may require a Chrome Extension. I don’t know what that is, so please let me know asap if it doesn’t work)<\/p>\n

Catholic Relief Services, “Changing the Way we Care” READ<\/a><\/p>\n

I asked Mary Kate to come up with the paragraph assignment for this week’s discussion section.\u00a0 Here you go, and make sure you are caught up on the readings:<\/p>\n

What single characteristic or skill would best complement\u00a0a Havelian sense of hope for a head of state in 2023? How would that enable integral human development for the people residing in that country?<\/em><\/p>\n

36.\u00a0 LECTURE:\u00a0 Wednesday, April 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on a popular form of authoritarian government:\u00a0\u00a0 Big men with big guns, big appetites, and big mouths, who tell you 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> people\u2019s lives?\u00a0 We sometimes forget or ignore the tragic fact that ordinary people must live under these regimes.<\/p>\n

Read<\/a> at least the first two sections of this report, Freedom House, “Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule”<\/p>\n

As you read about the proliferation of these regimes, ask yourself these questions: 1) What is the nature of the authoritarian personality? 2) Why would people support them? 3) Why would people willingly sacrifice some of the gifts of liberal democracy to follow authoritarian personalities?<\/p>\n

Let us consider the appeal of authoritarian solutions:<\/p>\n

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

The authoritarian temptation can be found in all kinds of settings, even in advanced democracies. One of the great mysteries for me is why people who benefit so much from liberal democracy would want to exchange it for something else. Can you replace liberal democracy with a form of government that doesn’t have its shortcomings while at the same time preserving what you like about it.\u00a0 Consider Kagan’s statement here<\/p>\n

” . . .many people focus on liberalism\u2019s shortcomings, the things it does not provide and the things it either weakens or destroys. The thing liberalism does provide \u2014 security of the individual\u2019s rights against the state and the community \u2014 is easily taken for granted or devalued.”<\/p>\n

One of the most common features that authoritarian leaders share is extreme narcissistic personality disorder.\u00a0 In this right conditions, these personality characteristics actually attract people and convince them that they need some a “special” person to lead them. Read about this disorder HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

Ask yourself whether you have ever encountered such a person.\u00a0 I have. I also study them.\u00a0 This particular pathology sounds quite unattractive.\u00a0 So, why are people attracted to such individuals again and again?<\/p>\n

A related reason why people support authoritarian rulers is that the latter have “charisma.” But what is charisma anyway? And is it a good thing when people seem to have it?<\/p>\n

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

Alternately, we can imagine circumstances in which charismatic leadership can be a good thing, especially for democracies:<\/p>\n

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

Kolowich suggests that Oprah–definitely a non-authoritarian personality–has something like charisma. Given the moral vacuum in many democratic capitals these days, perhaps Oprah would be a President after all.<\/p>\n

37. DISCUSSION SECTION: Friday, April 21<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Topic<\/em>: Havel, Integral Human Development, and Saving the World (concretely)<\/p>\n

Mary Kate has provided your paragraph assignment:<\/p>\n

What single characteristic or skill would best complement\u00a0a Havelian sense of hope for a head of state in 2023? How would that enable integral human development for the people residing in that country?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Re-read the reading assignments for Monday, April 17.<\/p>\n

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

PART IV In this section of our course, I address the dilemma of building viable\u00a0Nation-states\u00a0in the\u00a0Post-Colonial World. Up to now, we have examined several types of nation-state identities\u2013liberalism, fascism, and Leninism\u2013that are fairly easy to pin down.\u00a0 But, what does one do with the many countries that don’t fall easily under these rubrics?\u00a0 Americans frequently … Continue reading “Post-Colonialism”<\/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-41","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":60,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1214,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions\/1214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-spring-2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}