Essay Guidance For Postcolonial Politics: General Guidelines

Essay Guidance For Postcolonial Politicsgeneral Guidelinesdue At 1300

Choose one question from the module handbook (note: they’re deliberately broad so you can explore topics you find particularly interesting). You should be looking at upwards of 10 sources. Prioritise academic sources in your research (you get graded on the types of sources you use). Academic sources integrate theory, discuss key concepts, and are peer reviewed (so you can trust them, mostly). News articles and websites are useful for empirical examples, but are largely absent of theory/concepts.

Knowledge and Understanding: You are (partially) evaluated based on your knowledge and understanding of the essay topic and key concepts discussed in the module. Incorporating Postcolonial Theory is essential to demonstrate your understanding. Use academic sources and lecture notes to incorporate concepts to structure your argument and theoretical framework—e.g., using representation to analyse identity rather than just assuming identities exist.

Structure and Argument: Clearly state your argument in the introduction, refer to it throughout the main body of the essay, and reintroduce it in the conclusion to maintain focus. Integrate counterpoints in your discussion—use contrast throughout your essay to support your argument, rather than relegating counterpoints to the end. Remember, ‘discuss’ questions require an argument or position.

Style and Presentation: Your essay’s presentation (grammar, spelling, bibliography, format) impacts your grade. Finish a draft early, edit thoroughly, and aim for clarity and engagement in your writing. Avoid poor grammar and sentence structure that obscure your points.

Essay Questions Focus:

• What are the main features of Postcolonial Theory? Is this theory relevant for studying politics and international relations? Your essay must address both parts of the question.
• Highlight the continuities of colonialism in the present day as a baseline in Postcolonial Theory. Critically evaluate its relevance to politics and IR.
• Choose two concepts from politics and IR (e.g., development, democracy, state, sovereignty, power, national interest, pandemic) and demonstrate how identity influences these concepts.
• Use representation as a key concept to analyse how identity shapes understanding of the world. Theorise representation early in your essay—consult key authors like Stuart Hall.

The essay should be broad and allow for creative exploration. It’s important to have a clear argument—avoid the ‘discuss trap’—and to define what decolonizing and diversifying entail, including structures working against these processes. Consider issues in higher education reforms over recent years.

Additionally, explore the justification for prioritising national security and territorial integrity over human rights in postcolonial nation-states, probably utilizing a specific case study. Discuss what it means to be ‘postcolonial’—is it just the historical period post-colonialism, or does it encompass ongoing influences? Use themes like race, gender, nation, religion, or development discussed in the module to deepen your analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

Postcolonial theory offers critical insights into understanding the lingering influence of colonialism on contemporary politics and international relations. Its core features include the recognition of ongoing power structures rooted in colonial histories, the importance of representation in shaping identities, and the critique of Eurocentric narratives that dominate global discourse. These features demonstrate postcolonialism’s relevance in examining how historical legacies continue to influence modern statehood, sovereignty, and global power dynamics.

The relevance of postcolonial theory to politics and IR lies in its capacity to uncover and challenge the continuities of colonial domination. For example, many postcolonial states still grapple with neocolonial economic dependencies, borders drawn during colonial times, and political legitimacy rooted in colonial histories. By analysing these phenomena through the lens of postcolonial theory, scholars reveal the persistent inequalities and identities shaped by colonial legacies, thus providing a more critical understanding of global politics.

Focusing on the concepts of sovereignty and development, one can examine how identity influences political perceptions and policies. Sovereignty, traditionally understood as the absolute authority of a state, is often challenged in postcolonial contexts where external influences, neo-imperial policies, or internal identities disrupt state autonomy. For instance, in African nations, postcolonial identities tied to race, ethnicity, and history shape sovereignty debates, often conflicting with Western neo-liberal notions of statehood and development.

Representation plays a pivotal role in shaping how we understand statehood and development. Stuart Hall’s theories on representation reveal that identities—whether racial, national, or cultural—are constructed through media, discourse, and policies, influencing perceptions domestically and internationally. For example, African nations' development projects are often depicted narrowly through Western lenses that reinforce stereotypes, overshadowing indigenous knowledge and agency. By critically analysing these representations, scholars can unveil the power dynamics that perpetuate colonial structures.

Decolonizing and diversifying efforts in higher education and policy are necessary steps towards redressing colonial legacies. Decolonization involves re-evaluating curricula, replacing Eurocentric perspectives with indigenous and marginalized voices, and restructuring institutions to be more inclusive. However, these processes face structural barriers such as entrenched academic hierarchies and resistance from dominant power systems that aim to maintain traditional narratives. Initiatives in higher education, though promising, reveal mixed outcomes over recent years—highlighting the challenges of translating decolonial ambitions into tangible change.

The justification of prioritizing national security over human rights in postcolonial states is often rooted in historical fears of territorial disintegration and external threats. Many postcolonial nations prioritize sovereignty as a means of safeguarding independence against neo-imperialist pressures, with security viewed as essential for stability and development. For example, in Cameroon, national security concerns have justified restrictions on political dissent and civil liberties, illustrating the tension between sovereignty and human rights. Such policies are often justified by the need to preserve territorial integrity and prevent destabilization, which are deemed essential for nation-building in postcolonial contexts.

Understanding what it means to be ‘postcolonial’ extends beyond the historical period to encompass ongoing influences of colonialism embedded within societal structures and identities. The world remains shaped by racial, cultural, and political legacies that continue to influence global inequality, representation, and state legitimacy. Themes like race, gender, and religion are central to understanding how identities are constructed and contested within postcolonial contexts. For example, racial hierarchies established during colonial times persist today, affecting access to global power and resources. Recognizing these continuities is crucial for a comprehensive critique and for imagining alternative futures rooted in decolonial and diversifying practices.

References

• Ashcroft, B., Griffiths, G., & Tiffin, H. (2007). Postcolonial Studies: The Key Concepts. Routledge.
• Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage.
• Loomba, A. (2005). colonialism/postcolonialism. Routledge.
• Mignolo, W. (2007). De-colonizing Knowledge: Epistemic Disobedience and the Decolonial Option.
• Nkrumah, K. (1965). Neo-colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism. International Publishers.
• Said, E. (1994). Culture and Imperialism. Vintage Books.
• Young, R. J. C. (2003). Postcolonialism: An Historical Introduction. Blackwell Publishing.
• Mbembe, A. (2001). On the Postcolony. University of California Press.
• Chakrabarty, D. (2000). Provincializing Europe: Postcolonial Thought and Historical Difference. Princeton University Press.
• Zubair, S. A. (2019). Decolonization and Higher Education: Strategies for Change. Journal of Education Studies.