Articles on Postcolonial Studies

Hello everyone,

In this blog, we’ll be diving into topics related to Postcolonial Studies, focusing on two important texts by Ania Loomba: "Globalization and the Future of Postcolonial Studies" and "Future of Postcolonial Studies." These readings are part of our course, assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad.

GLOBALIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES 

 for original article (click here) 

In the past, postcolonialism mainly focused on rejecting British colonialism and its impacts, especially during the colonial period in countries like India. This viewpoint was common among nations that had experienced colonial rule. However, after the 9/11 attacks, the understanding of postcolonialism began to change to address new global issues.

Scholars like Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri talk about this shift in their book Empire, where they explain how modern power structures are different from traditional imperialism. After 9/11, the U.S. became a dominant global force, and its actions in the Middle East represented a new type of empire. This new empire still has colonial-like influences but operates differently. Ania Loomba points out how the rise of the "New American Empire" and the war on terror make it harder to see the world as simply postcolonial because issues like power, resistance, and new control methods still exist.

Nowadays, countries like the U.S. and England don’t use old colonial tactics to maintain their global influence. Instead, they rely on multinational corporations that operate across the world, often exploiting workers in developing countries. Critics like Joseph Stiglitz describe this as "Market Fundamentalism," a harmful system that increases inequality beyond just national borders.

As we move into Globalization 4.0 with advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI), postcolonial studies need to adapt. While these technologies may bring progress, they also raise concerns about the exploitation of workers. As automation and AI reshape industries, it’s crucial to look at how global companies might still be underpaying workers and providing poor working conditions. A critical postcolonial view is necessary to prevent new forms of colonialism or worsening inequality as these technologies evolve.

Today, postcolonial studies must expand to address these global challenges. Even though traditional colonies are gone, the effects of colonialism are still felt. The ongoing influence of developed nations through global capitalism and their control over technology continues to impact postcolonial societies. A modern approach to postcolonialism is essential to tackle these global issues and work towards justice and equality in the face of technological progress.

GLOBALIZATION AND FICTION: EXPLORING POSTCOLONIAL CRITIQUE AND LITERARY REPRESENTATIONS

for original article (click here)

Globalization is often seen in modern writing as something that complicates identity, culture, and power. Many postcolonial authors take a critical look at it. For example, Arundhati Roy in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness and Aravind Adiga in The White Tiger tell stories about characters dealing with the social and economic effects of globalization. Their works explore themes of resistance, blended identities, and the struggle to find one’s place.

In The White Tiger, the main character, Balram Halwai, finds success in India’s growing economy, but his journey reveals the deep inequality and corruption tied to global capitalism. His story reflects the tough choices people are forced to make just to survive in a rapidly changing world. Similarly, Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness examines how globalization affects marginalized groups in India. She shares stories of those left behind by global development, like Kashmiri separatists and people displaced by urban projects, showing how they resist in their own ways.

Both Roy and Adiga show the clash between global influences and traditional identities. Their characters struggle with mixed identities, trying to adjust to new social and economic realities while still being pulled by old values. This creates conflicts both within themselves and in society.

The themes of exploitation, inequality, and resistance in a globalized world are also seen in films like The Constant Gardener (2005), directed by Fernando Meirelles. The movie highlights how multinational companies put profits ahead of people, especially in postcolonial countries. It mirrors the effects of globalization shown in the books, where large corporations exploit vulnerable communities.

Both literature and film show the tension between local identities and global pressures. They depict how marginalized groups navigate and resist these forces as they fight for justice and survival. Characters like Balram, those in Roy’s novels, and the people in The Constant Gardener highlight the ongoing struggles against global systems that often uphold inequality in postcolonial societies.

POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES IN THE ANTHROPOCENE: BRIDGING PERSPECTIVES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

for original article (Click here)

People in the Global South, particularly in formerly colonized regions, are among the hardest hit by environmental damage and climate change. Colonization left behind a legacy of resource extraction, causing deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and ecosystem disruption, making these areas more vulnerable today. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak believes that postcolonial studies should evolve to address these modern issues, suggesting the field should focus on current problems rather than just historical ones.

Environmental activist Vandana Shiva also emphasizes the link between colonialism and environmental destruction. She argues that the exploitation of natural resources, which started during colonial times, has only been made worse by global capitalism and large corporations. While some scholars agree with Shiva’s view that pre-colonial societies had a more harmonious relationship with nature, others point out that these societies still struggled with issues like patriarchy and inequality. However, it’s clear that environmental issues cannot be separated from social and cultural contexts, especially in the Global South, where environmental protection must align with the needs of local communities.

This change in how postcolonial studies approach environmental problems is vital because it highlights how these regions are often left out of global discussions on the environment. For example, the film The Constant Gardener (2005) shows how multinational companies put profits before sustainability, leading to environmental damage in postcolonial regions. This reflects the continued exploitation that began with colonization, further marginalizing these areas in global political conversations.

Heroes or Hegemons? The Celluloid Empire of Rambo and Bond in America's Geopolitical Narrative

for original article (Click here)

Rambo and James Bond movies have been used to promote Western ideas, especially during the Cold War and the rise of globalization. Hollywood has produced these films to influence how people around the world view the United States, particularly in terms of its military, values, and policies.

For example, Rambo: First Blood Part II offers a different take on the Vietnam War, showing the U.S. not as a loser but as a nation seeking redemption. In this film, America is portrayed as the hero, fighting against non-Western enemies, reflecting Cold War fears. Similarly, Rambo 3 moves the action to Afghanistan, where Rambo helps the Mujahideen fight the Soviets, casting America as a liberator battling communism—much like the real U.S. support for Afghan rebels in the 1980s.

Although James Bond is a British series, it also serves Western geopolitical interests. Movies like The Living Daylights (1987), Licence to Kill (1989), and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) portray Bond as a protector of freedom, democracy, and human rights. These films, which reach a large international audience, promote a pro-Western view and reinforce American values, helping to maintain U.S. influence in global entertainment.

However, not everyone shares these perspectives. Other film industries, such as Bollywood, have the chance to challenge these dominant narratives and tell more diverse stories. By questioning traditional ideas, non-Western films can help create a more balanced and inclusive global dialogue.

Reimagining Resistance: The Appropriation of Tribal Heroes in Rajamouli's RRR 

for original article (click here)

In 'RRR', the character of Komaram Bheem, a tribal leader from the Gond community, is shown as a hero on a mission to rescue a kidnapped tribal girl from the British. However, in reality, Bheem’s struggle was about protecting the rights of his community, not just part of a larger nationalist fight against colonial rule. While this makes the movie more dramatic, it shifts the focus away from the actual issues that Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju were fighting for.

Both Raju and Bheem are remembered for standing up to oppressive governments that took away the rights of indigenous people. Raju fought the British, especially after the Madras Forest Act of 1882, which limited Adivasis' access to their traditional forests. Bheem led a movement against the Nizam of Hyderabad, and his slogan "Jal, Jangal, Zameen" (Water, Forest, Land) highlighted their fight to protect these essential natural resources.

Indigenous communities often suffer the most from climate change, as their lands are damaged or taken away, forcing them to leave their homes. These communities have traditionally managed their land sustainably, so losing it not only impacts their environment but also their culture and way of life. Today, it’s not just foreign rulers causing this harm—large corporations are also responsible. Raju and Bheem weren’t just fighting against oppressive rulers; they were also defending their people from displacement and environmental destruction—issues that continue to affect indigenous communities today. Their fight was about protecting their land and resources from exploitation, which is still a relevant cause.

By focusing primarily on the nationalist element of the story, 'RRR' overlooks important issues like land, water, and forest rights, which are still crucial for indigenous people today. Framing their fight only as a battle against colonialism simplifies the real struggles they faced and makes us forget the importance of their ongoing fight for environmental and indigenous rights.

Thank you...