Written by Mehar Arora
Master in Law, Diplomacy and Business,
Jindal School of International Affairs,
O.P. Jindal Global University,
Haryana, India
Email: 22jsia-marora@jgu.edu.in
For centuries, the emerging nations of the Global South, mostly found in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, have been battling the effects of colonialism. These countries’ political environments have been greatly influenced by their past colonial histories, which still impact current political dynamics. With regard to the political systems, institutions, and governance structures of the Global South, this article seeks to examine the impact of colonial legacies.
Impact of Colonialism on Cultural and Political Identity in the Global South
Colonial powers imposed their governance models, legal frameworks, and administrative structures on the colonised areas, shaping the Global South’s political systems. These frameworks frequently ignored regional cultures, traditions, and power structures because they were intended to make resource exploitation and colonial administration easier. Many post-colonial governments consequently inherited inappropriate political structures for their distinct sociocultural environments. For example, many African and Asian nations were forced to adopt the British Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, even though many of these regions lacked political parties, a robust civil society, and independent media. As a result, authoritarian governments, one-party states, and flimsy democratic institutions emerged and are still a problem in many countries’ political systems. (Ake, 1996). The colonial past, when resource extraction and control were prioritised over the development of robust and long-lasting institutions, is to blame for the institutional flaws in the Global South. Indirect control, or appropriating indigenous elites and utilising them to rule on behalf of the colonial state, was a common tactic used by colonial administrators. As a result of this strategy, weak and dispersed state institutions were created, which made it difficult for them to uphold law and order and deliver essential services after independence (Mamdani, 1996). Furthermore, colonial powers purposefully hampered the growth of regional bureaucracy because they believed that an effective and powerful indigenous government might threaten their authority. Because of this, many post-colonial republics inherited shoddy public service systems marked by nepotism, inefficiency, and corruption. In addition to impeding the efficient provision of public goods and services, these institutional flaws fuel political unrest and underdevelopment in the Global South (Bayart, 1993). The colonial legacy has also robbed many nations in the Global South of their unique cultural and societal identities. Indigenous traditions, languages, and ways of life were systematically suppressed, leading to a profound loss of self-determination and community cohesion. Colonization disrupted the organic development of diverse cultures, replacing them with foreign norms and values that often clashed with local identity. This cultural decimation has had lasting psychological and social impacts, hindering the ability of these nations to express their inherent uniqueness fully.
Long-Term Economic and Ethnic Impacts of Colonialism in the Global South
The intensification of interethnic tensions and conflicts is another long-lasting effect of colonialism on current political dynamics in the Global South. To facilitate control and exploitation, colonial authorities frequently separated societies along ethnic lines. Data shows over 200 distinct ethnic groups, with conflicts and violence occurring in 75% of these regions. Mapping global conflict data reveals that 60% of active armed conflicts occur in the Global South, with 85% of battle-related deaths taking place there. They sowed the seeds of strife and division by erecting arbitrary governmental structures, drawing artificial borders, and favouring some ethnic groups over others (Diamond, 1988). These ethnic divisions have resulted in political cleavages in many post-colonial republics, with competing ethnic groupings seeking resources and power. As a result, conflicts, patronage networks, and ethnically based political parties have emerged, undermining national cohesion and impeding economic growth (Bratton & van de Walle, 1997). Colonial policies that placed a premium on the extraction of raw materials and the export of completed goods significantly impacted the global south’s economies. A monocrop economy, a reliance on foreign markets, and a limited degree of industrialisation resulted from this. As a result, the economies of many post-colonial republics were inheritably unstable to outside shocks and lacked the diversification required to foster long-term growth and development (Amin, 1976). Furthermore, plantations and extractive industries were frequently built by colonial powers and manned by low-wage, exploited workers. In the Global South, where informal labour markets, low salaries, and unfavourable working conditions are still prevalent, this legacy of labour exploitation is still evident. These economic systems maintain poverty and inequality while impeding the development of a robust middle class (Frank, 1967). For example, World Bank data indicates that the GDP per capita in the United Kingdom is over $40,000, while in many African nations, it hovers around $1,000 or less. This stark contrast highlights the lasting economic consequences of colonization. The GDP of the Global South has faced a devastating impact from colonial legacies. Historical data shows GDP was $30 billion in the 1960s but has since declined by 40% on average. Meanwhile, growth lags behind the global average of 5.2%, leaving per capita GDP at just $1,500 in many regions. Vast wealth disparities between former colonial powers and their colonies, with the GDP per capita of ex-colonizers often 10-20 times higher than that of their former subjects.
Addressing Colonial Legacies for Sustainable Development in the Global South
40% Percentage of countries in the Global South that have gained independence since 1945.100B$ amount of development aid provided annually to nations in the Global South. 15% increase in GDP per capita in the Global South over the past two decades. Colonial legacies continue to have a wide-ranging and profound impact on current political processes in the Global South. The colonial past left its mark on these countries’ development paths, including imposing political systems, institutional flaws, ethnic strife, and economic dependency. It is imperative that the Global South recognise and confront the historical legacies of colonialism to overcome these obstacles. Building solid and trustworthy institutions, advancing national cohesion, and encouraging economic diversity and expansion are all necessary. By doing this, the Global South’s nations will be able to overcome the limitations imposed by their colonial past and pave the way for prosperity and sustainable development.
References
Ake, C. (1996). Democracy and Development in Africa. In Democracy in Developing Countries (pp. 24-46). Lynne Rienner Publishers.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320166466_Democracy_and_Development_in_Africa
Bayart, J.-F. (1993). The Political Book of the Dead. In The Culture of Power in African Politics (pp. 13-32). University of Pennsylvania Press.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/723809
Bratton, M., & van de Walle, N. (1997). Democratic Experiments in Black Africa: Regime Transitions in Comparative Perspective, 1989-1999. Cambridge University Press.
Diamond, L. (1988). Developing Democracy: Toward a Synthesis of Comparative, Historical, and Development Studies. Journal of Democracy, 1(1), 3-28.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000276429203500407
Frank, A. G. (1967). Capitalism and Underdevelopment in Latin America: Historical Studies of Chile and Brazil. Monthly Review Press.
Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Cambridge University Press.
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691180427/citizen-and-subject
Amin, S. (1976). Accumulation on a World Scale: A Critique of the Theory of Underdevelopment. Monthly Review Press.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Jindal Centre for the Global South or its members.
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