ANTHROPOLOGY: Colonialism and Neo-Colonialism in the 21st Century

This essay provides an analysis of the evolving nature of colonialism in the 21st century, building upon the concepts of 19th-century colonialism and 20th-century neo-colonialism. The paper explores the shift in colonial powers from European countries to non-European nations and non-state actors such as international corporations. It examines how neocolonialism manifests through international laws governing trade, patents, and monetary policy, and the impact of cultural appropriation. The essay discusses the changing dynamics of power and control, highlighting how the players and methods of colonialism have adapted to the modern global landscape. It touches upon examples of patent colonialism, where foreign entities appropriate cultural practices and products for profit. The paper draws upon references to provide a comprehensive overview of this complex subject, offering insights into the ongoing transformations of colonialism in the contemporary world.

Running head: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Cultural Anthropology
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Authors Note:

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Different definitions of colonialism have been given by different people with contrasting
views from left and right wings political establishment on the subject. Maintenance of rule for an
extended time over alien people who are subordinate to the former. On the other hand left wing
analysts have found nothing but evil in the term colonialism.
Three distinct stages of colonialism contrasting with each other in colonial economy,
society and policies can be found from the assessment of historic and current society. The
response of colonial people has been different due to the ideological differences in these
contrasting colonialism.
The start of Modern colonialism can be traced back to the days of voyages along the west
coast of Africa by the Portuguese at the start of fifteenth century. In 1498 the same voyage
brought Vasco da Gama in India in order establish their dominion in the non-European countries.
The imperialistic drive of the Portuguese and Spaniards ensured they were the first ones to
establish their dominions overseas. The loss of forward thrust has been the reason for the start of
voyage and establishing dominions overseas by the Portuguese and the Spaniards to lay the path
for Modern colonialism. The whole of America was under the dominions of Europe with Dutch
and British stake their claims in India and other parts of Asia. By the end of 1815 the won and
lost count of empire by France was significant making it one of the first countries to start losing
the colonialism control which later spread to other rulers and empires across Europe and other
parts of the world.
The start of anti-colonialism and blows to the Modern colonialism struck by the
liberation of majority portion of Latin America with the American Revolution touching its peak
during the time. However, despite the anti-colonialism blow the imperial expansion and growth
of European dominion continued till the last quarter of 19th century. But the effects of anti-

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colonialism and American Revolution with liberation of Latin America certainly discourage the
holdings and expansion of colonialism by the European. The rise in power of Britain due to its
command of seas and industrial belts across the globe resulted in virtual monopoly. With this
monopoly the British started exclusive controlling of colonialism to capture wealth from all
across the globe. Start of free trade subsequent to the abandonment of mercantilism made the
colonies significantly less attractive. The dependencies of British and other European nations
were clearly visible with the clear shifting of colonial power from the rulers to the inhabitants of
respective places.
China was one of the very few nations which was not subjected to the colonial rule but
was opened to the idea of penetration from the West. The expansion of colonial power by British
only stayed limited to India where they ruled the country for more than 200 years ("‘We Cannot
Afford This’: Malaysia Pushes Back Against China’s Vision", 2019). During this period Algeria
was taken over by the France. France also encroached in Indochina at the same time by
spreading colonialism (Reid, 2015).
The last quarter of 19th Century saw significant change in the climate with division
amongst the imperial powers resulted in partition of the world between these powerful rulers of
colonialism. The need of the new industrial system with the colonies becoming less attractive is
often considered as the single biggest reason for the change in the climate in the last decade of
19th century. World War I and World War II both taking place in the first half of 20th Century
strengthen the hands of all forces that were opposed the rule of colonialism and with the huge
success of Russian Revolution, it created a worldwide agitation against the colonial powers and
imperialists. Subsequently by the end of World War II, huge anti-colonialism tide swept away

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the system of colonialism in a speedy and effective manner paving the way for new system of
independent countries free from the rule of foreigners (Alanamu, 2016).
Subsequent independence of these nations the world has changed significantly with
America and China have emerged as the new colonial powers (Mutua, 2019). The possibility of
China overtaking USA as the new major colonial power is for real with its push for growth at the
expense of democracy ("Did Canada buy an oil pipeline in fear of being sued by China?", 2019).
Further the policy of South Korea to push for industrialization at the expense of agriculture has
led to the country being increasing dependant on the import of food items. It is clear that neo
colonial powers have struggled to develop a system that will be equal for both rich and poor with
poorest of poor are suffering the most in countries like China and South Korea ("Korea’s
Overseas Development Backfires", 2019).

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References:
‘We Cannot Afford This’: Malaysia Pushes Back Against China’s Vision. (2019). Retrieved 3
August 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/20/world/asia/china-malaysia.html
Alanamu, T. (2016). Transnational Connections and the Making of Modern Childhood in the
Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries: A review article. Journal Of Colonialism And
Colonial History, 17(3), 10-28. doi: 10.1353/cch.2016.0042
Did Canada buy an oil pipeline in fear of being sued by China?. (2019). Retrieved 3 August
2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/31/justin-trudeau-
kinder-morgan-pipeline-china-did-he-fear-being-sued
Korea’s Overseas Development Backfires. (2019). Retrieved 3 August 2019, from
http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/12/123_56697.html
Mutua, M. (2019). Why China remains greatest threat to Kenya’s sovereignty : The
Standard. Retrieved 3 August 2019, from
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001315039/why-china-remains-greatest-threat-to-
kenya-s-sovereignty
Reid, J. (2015). British North America in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries ed. by
Stephen Foster. Journal Of Colonialism And Colonial History, 16(1), 12-215. doi:
10.1353/cch.2015.0008