Decolonization / Cold War

• Learning objectives: – Understand the importance of these far-

reaching events– Put tools to use to raise questions & explain

why events happened the way they did

Empires & Decolonization

• Ancient Empires: Egypt, Phoenicians, Rome, Chinese, etc.

• Colonization of Latin / North America, 15th- century on– Domination of indigenous peoples

Spanish empire

Empires & Decolonization

• Ancient Empires: Egypt, Phoenicians, Rome, Chinese, etc.

• Colonization of Latin / North America, 15th- century on– Domination of indigenous peoples

• European colonization of Africa, Asia & MEast, 19th-20th centuries

Imperialism in Asia: Japan’s Colonies

The colonial world, 1914

Decolonization and the end of Empire

• In 1955, only 3 independent states in sub-Saharan Africa

• By 1965, 31

• By 1980, whole continent independent except Namibia (1990)

Colonial Rule and Independence in Africa

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• How do we explain this epochal change in the international system?

• Why did it turn out the way it did?

• Why have some peoples gained independence (statehood) while others (e.g., indigenous peoples in North/Latin America) have not?

• What are the responsibilities of colonizers?

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• How do we explain this epochal change in world politics?

• Where would IR theories tell us to look?

• Critical (Marxist): Economics of empire– Changing Modes of Production made

colonies less profitable

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• Critical (Marxist): Economics of empire– Changing Modes of Production made colonies less

profitable– Neo-colonialism

• Realist: Military power– Over-Extension: Colonizers could not maintain

colonies

– Power and Disinterest: Weak are “states by courtesy” / Powerful did not want to maintain colonies (could if desired).

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• Marxist & Realist explanations: Problems– Could powers like the US today not still attempt

to impose colonies if they wanted?– So then why fight colonial wars? – Why did the (militarily) ‘weak’ defeat the

‘strong’ (Vietnam, Algeria)?– What changed that made states want to divest

themselves of colonies that earlier were keys to great power status? Why grant independence in that period when didn’t before?

– Why did some transitions to independence occur with wars, others less violently?

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• I) Liberalism/constructivism: – Role of individuals (“moral entrepreneurs”) & “people

power”

– Gandhi & Non-Violence

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• Liberalism/constructivism -– I) Role of individuals & people power: Gandhi &

Non-violence– II) Power of Ideas

• Nationalism

Decolonization & Nationalism Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• Liberalism/Constructivism– I) Role of individuals & people power– II) Power of Ideas

• Nationalism• Resistance & “Weapons of the weak”: Turn

colonizers’ own ideas against them

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

• Liberalism/Constructivism– I) Role of individuals & people power– II) Power of Ideas

• Nationalism• Resistance & “Weapons of the weak• De-legitimization of colonialism within colonial

powers– III) International Organizations:

• UN de-legitimization of colonialization / legitimization of ‘self-determination’

The End of Empire & Decolonization:Explanations

III) International OrganizationsUN de-legitimization of colonialization / legitimization of ‘self-determination’

• UN 1960 GA Resolution on Granting of Independence– Colonization condemned as “subjugation, domination

and exploitation” and “denial of fundamental human rights”

• Revolution from de facto sovereignty (realism) to de jure sovereignty (liberal constructivism): “failed” states

– Weak states which exist more due to international recognition of their sovereign legal right to exist than ability to defend it & govern with stability

• Robert Jackson (UBC)

The Politics of Recognition and Self-determination

• Whose claims for independence and self-determination ought to be recognized, and on what basis?– Kurds?– Indigenous peoples?– Kosovo?

States recognizing Kosovo’s claims to independence