Colonialism versus Modernity - Research Paper Example

Task: Colonialism verses modernity Most countries, in their current are products of colonial systems and the themes of independence that passed on from earlier generations. The people borrow identities from these systems and it is these identities that infect their original affiliations and beliefs. When the culture of a group is destroyed, it lacks incorporation in all aspects of their developmental progress. This always becomes the beginning of a failure process for the particular country in terms of its social and political aspects. The effects of a colonial system reflect progress in the thought process of individuals in a structure. Al-el Ahmad discusses occidentosis in his book: A Plague from the West. Occidentosis refers to the impacts of western cultures or mode of their economies on subservient or vulnerable countries. The Dialectic of Enlightenment, which is written by Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, discusses the inability of Western education and rule of reason to achieve the ultimate purpose of satisfaction. They, therefore, emphasize the role of culture, like literature of a place, in the fulfillment of individuals of that particular society. This, otherwise, cautions about annihilation of social structures and belief systems of a place. Ali Mirsepassi proposes incorporation of modernism within traditional Islamic systems. He is, thus, an opponent of secularism. D’ Adamo discusses the role of literature in a person’s thought development while Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes the rule of reason in conflict resolutions and achievement of democracy economic prosperity. The argument that arises is that unless these subservient countries shake off the influence of the other countries, they are destined to stagnate in their progress. Ahmad illustrates different ways in which, by economic control and social control, the Western countries clog development in counties from the East like Iran (Ahmad 28). He depicts countries from Africa and Asia as being the sources of raw inputs for industrialized nations. The resources include physical goods like iron ore, oil, raw agricultural products .Cultural talents like music and dances might also be a victim of exploitation by European countries. These nations, in turn, use these goods to produce complex goods that are consumed extensively by the countries that supply the inputs. The resulting barrier is the discrepancy of economic power- hold across the divide. Lack of production and high consumption of their counterparts’ products cause their poverty. It should be noted that Ahmad critiques Islam religion of being used as a medium for escapism by Iranians and manipulation by the then Iranian government. The article, otherwise, seeks to remind Iranians of their potential in terms of their resources and earlier talents. One of the most common forms of occidentosis is division of large ancestral farmlands into small plots. This ideal also requires the use of tractors in these small plots. However, tractors require huge amount of fuel that Iran produces. This way fuel, which could have been profitably sold to foreign markets, is used in small-scale production in farming. Besides that, the farmers do not have repair units within their reach. Hectic transport further complicates this situation since farmers cannot easily reach town for repair. Consequently, Iran cannot adequately provide food for her population (Ahmad 36). Apart from that, urbanization, as an impact of occidentosis, retards development. The urban dwellers are driven by the motive of consumption and working from offices rather than entrepreneurship and innovation. In turn, they leave arable farmlands that they could have convert into feasible economical use. In town, they live in cramped spaces and eat complex manufactured foods that Western countries produce. In addition, urban dwellers require high cost insecurity than their small economies can afford. This is because previous family units divide into smaller units that require higher dispensation of security to these households. Another prominent effect of occidentosis is that it displaces local workers out of their previous occupations. These occupations mainly include local art and crafts like crafting of canvas shoes and carpet making. Complex machines are, then, able to produce synthetic carpets and shoes that replace the initial markets for hand-made goods. Despite that fact, there exists an expansive market for the hand made goods in Western markets. Ahmad also stresses the effect of occidentosis on the Iranian education and the general effect in the thought system and economy. When young Iranians receive education form oversea colleges, they form an inferior view of their own country and themselves. They despise their religion by marrying foreign wives hence contravening the Islamic laws of marriage. Apart from that, these students obtain education in repairing Western machines rather than inventing fresh machines that are appropriate for their countries. In addition, the educated are engrossed in the mentality of elite profession, such as management, rather than engaging in the routine of production. Amado critiques Iranian universities of being devoid of quality research. The research in such universities is used to necessitate bureaucracies of school administration instead of any essential economic agenda. Moreover, the education system does not promote the growth of traditional languages (Ahmad 108). Ahmad therefore, proposes that the only form of salvation is for a country like Iran to involve herself in more production. In this ideal, he emphasizes the importance of owning technologies. Ownership of the machines is not a result but a process to attaining economic advancement. The first step in such a vision is that Iran should overhaul and install a new education program. Recognition for traditional handicrafts is vital in this scenario. The system should also focus in making machines necessary for their industries. Production of such technologies necessitates proper research in well furnished laboratories and a busy industrial system. In addition, the writer notes eradication of fear of machines as an inevitable step in this case. Two authors object to Ahmad’s analysis and solutions in their own unique ways. Mirsepassi argues that opposition to Western ideologies and culture did not provoke the resolution. The revolt might have rather been caused by the need to infuse Western technology into immovable Islamic culture and religion. It explains that neither of the two parts is indispensable in Iranian progress. Mirsepassi depicts Western culture of not synchronizing with other cultures. Their concept of modernization only stresses on relief out of material frustrations. The process of achieving the named goal relies on a methodology of empirical analysis and process. In turn, the ideal heralds economics and physical science as the only valuable resources for societal advancement. This was the focal argument of Ahmad. Modernity, however, serves to disunite humankind and generate discontent among its consumers. Society is consequently defined by the structures of the elite and the primitive only. Mirsepassi argues that modernization contains a lot of Western concepts and cultures and holds other social structures in contempt. The term -third world nations-is coined to portray the European nations as models of ultimate development. This culture infiltrates into developing countries’ systems and becomes an extolled path of advancement. The people in third world nations suffer the fate of following this path without proper scrutiny. The third world nations expel a lot of resources and manpower in removing this influence. However, that remains an acceptance of the power wielded by Western culture (Mirsepassi 54). When countries enslave themselves to standards of Western modes of modernization they are going to get exhausted in fulfilling this demand. They will strive to gain manipulation of the modernization by engaging their faculties of imagination. In the Iranian revolution, there existed secularists who were involved. They did not believe in the resurrection of the initial values of Islam as assets to their course. Despite that fact, they had to camouflage under the religious movement when they realized its force. Mirsepassi names Islam religion as the ignition to the Islamic revolution. Since the colonial system was trampling Islam religion under the veil of Shah, the firm believers saw the threat of extinction of their own faith. It was in this motive of protecting their faith that they protested against the Shah government. Iranian revolution revealed modernization tendencies towards domination and autocracy. The Shah Government strong control of state resources and social systems created discontent among Iranian citizens. Max Hokheimer and Adorno also discuss the futility of enlightenment. Their main argument is springs from earlier discussions; it states that the goal of erecting human beings as masters of their nature is vanity as this is rarely attainable. Enlightenment, as a concept of modernization dismisses myth, literature and sociological subjects as tools of advancement for any nation. Although Ahmad subtly professes objection to myths, Hokheimer and Adorno protests that this is detrimental to the psychological peace of individuals (Hokheimer and Adorno 53). They reason that enlightenment will eventually incline towards myth which it disregards initially. The knowledge and technology are open to impact by power, which ignites manipulation of individuals by people who own these aspects. D’Adamo supports the very reasoning by asserting that languages and traditional literature are important in achieving personal identity, solution of crises and social awareness (D’Adamo 6). In propping D’Adamo, Mahatma recognizes the value of reason in resolution of conflicts. He asserts that society can free themselves out of colonial slavery by peaceful modes and recognition of their own identity. Despite those objections, it is revealed that unless developing countries realize that Western counties are benefitting, at their own expense, out of their resources, they will not chat a feasible path towards prosperity. They should become machine owners by embracing technology and extensive research in universities. Countries like Iran should stop being mere consumers of Western made products but also enlarge its export market beyond oil supply. They should, too, exploit talents such as those in music to strike them out and pay for the owners of talent. This argument and its subsequent arguments illustrate the concept of development of thought as a means to freedom of individuals from their tribulations. Ahmad impresses this point by stating that Iran has got brains to produce its own machines and that Iranians only need to eradicate their fear in order to start this journey. Mirsepassi and Hokheimer explain how Western countries destine other countries to a particular history of development of thought as ultimate. Mahatma uses Indian rule to depict the political scenarios in other countries. In summary countries submit themselves to historical obligation of advancement of thought which make them submit to other cultures. Read More