The Sociology of Colonialism - Essay Example

Abstract

Colonialism refers to the acquisition, inception, preservation, development, and augmentation of jurisdictions in a single region that is thrust by human beings from a different territory. The dominant group then subjugates the weaker community. Colonialism could also be defined as a process through which the metropole society claims and takes control of a colony, social formation, state, and economy of the subjects. The word colony was derived from a Latin term ‘Colonus’ which referred to a ‘farmer.' The main root of Colonialism prompts an imagination that the colonial practice mainly involved the relocation of an indigenous group to a different region, where they were expected to live permanently while paying homage and maintaining an allegiance to their home nationality. Once the colonists, for instance, came and took over Africa, they would adhere not to the African culture but to the European culture or the culture of whichever country they came from. The subjects were then forced to learn and adhere to the orders that were given by their superiors. The colonial history of the world is characterized by many examples of the superior societies that gradually expanded and took over one or more territories across the globe and settled its people in the new lands that they had taken over. Colonialism, therefore, describes the encampment of Australia, North America, more substantial parts of Africa and Brazil, which were taken over by vast masses of residents initially from Europe..This paper looks at the history of Colonialism, its relationship with sociology, and its impact on individuals and the entire global community.

History of Colonialism

Colonialism began in the discovery age, with Spanish nationalists and Portuguese discovering new regions beyond the oceans. These regions included the American and Atlantic islands. They then went ahead and built business posts that could be used for trading. The newly discovered lands that laid beyond the seas where then subdivided between the Spanish and Portuguese empires. The other empires that acquired these territories were the Dutch and the French. In 1600, s there was a creation of a colonial confederation in France, the Dutch and British empires. After some time, the Swedish and Danish colonial confederations were also established. The vast spread of these empires drastically collapsed towards the late eighteenth-century and the dawn of the nineteenth century, as a result of the intervention by the revolutionary war in America and Latin. Many more colonial domains were, however, formed at the end of the revolutionary period. These included the German and Belgian empires. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, several European authorities and powers took part in the famously known 'scramble for Africa.' As a result, numerous African colonies were founded.

The relationship between Colonialism and sociology

An article written by a sociologist, George Steinmetz, tries to revise a great history of postwar in the sociology of European countries in the mid 20th century. The report argues that exploration of colonies, to a great extent, provided an essential part in the resurgence of the sociological discipline of academics after 1945. This was analyzed based on the provinces of France, Britain, and Belgium. Colonial territories and powers became a critical terrain and object of study and a functional site for many scholars in sociology. The study brought more than 50% of the French and British sociologists by the end of 1960. The development of these colonies led to the rise in demand for new ways and forms of scientific and social expertise, and sociology was the central area of study.

Many experts and scholars in the area of sociology formed a considerable base of favored partners in the colonies. The collaboration among the scientific and social experts led to an in-depth study of urbanization, industrialization, migration of labor, poverty elimination, and resettlement of the populations under the special colonial powers. While a significant number of sociologists and scientists faithfully served their master colonialists. A number of them focused intensely on autonomous agendas, even though they were surrounded by negligible, insignificant institutions, and heteronomous environments. Colonial experts of sociology created theoretical, empirical, and methodological benefactions that have long after shaped new disciplines. This was done through ways that were acknowledged, with the foreshadowing of world history and the archival study of humans and their cultures through evolution and the postcolonial eras. Economic growth in urbanization, industrialization, and general society through colonial periods was mainly attributed to sociologists. This has dramatically impacted the functionality of the governments and the world systems in the postcolonial period and the current way of life.

Colonialism gave sociological perspectives

Functionalism theory holds that different yet unique parts of the community comprise mainly of communal institutions that are uniquely fashioned to meet different needs. The basic unit, otherwise known as the family, economy, education, government, and religion, form an essential foundation in the comprehension of sociological terms. The colonial institutions were mainly founded by the superior communities to help them gain sovereignty in the regions they had taken over. The main aim of eroding the culture of the colonial subjects was formed by institutions of learning through which new cultures were taught. Here, new ideas and a new religion were introduced, and the subjects were forced to submit to it while being victimized by the colonists entirely. Functionalism as a theory dominated the colonial territories, deeply explaining why countries and political systems had powers that they possessed, through which they entirely took over regions and established their empires. In Africa, the British empire, for instance, built missionary schools, hospitals, and other infrastructures, that were fashioned to propagate not only the ‘white’ education but also their cultures and norms. They used these public institutions to infiltrate their political superiority.

Conflict theory, on the other hand, was developed by Karl Marx, who honestly believed that society was a vital establishment that changed. The change was mainly driven by the conflict from different social classes that were at a constant fight for resources that were limited. The resources could include money, land, natural resources like water, among others. Broader structures and institutions reflected this kind of competition. However, in competing for these resources, some societies overpowered their counterparts, especially if they were superior in power and social influence. The scramble for resources that were lying beyond seas was the main trigger of the competition, which led to the overpowering of natives in their land. This was the beginning of Colonialism in the late 19th century, through the 20th century, mainly in parts of Africa. As a continent, Africa had resources and opportunities that had not been tapped into. The coming of the British and German empires, among other colonies into Africa, was mainly attributed to the availability of resources.

Colonial feminism was one of the models used to achieve the different faces of modern society in the west. During the colonial periods in the middle east, women who formed the more significant part of the community were living in poverty. Some areas of the middle east have been experiencing continuity in imperialism. Women in regions of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Palestine are still victims of social segregation, and their rights have been submerged. It is not practicable to air the rights of women in these areas by focusing on gender or by looking at a single approach. Interconnecting elements like culture, race, imperialism, and religion help different stakeholders avoid the misrepresentation of these issues. On the contrary, these boost alliances focus on women's rights reclamation. Several sociological scholars and feminists have been on the rise to curb injustices that are fashioned against women in the middle east, African countries, and other regions of the world.

Conclusion

Colonialism is frequently used in defamatory perception and is typically linked to brutality and crude ill-treatment of the less fortunate members of society. Not many people are unable to relate it to oppression, violation of human rights, and economic exploitation. The primary interests of colonies were by and large selfish. Although Colonialism is a long-forgotten term, it is evident that some of the cultures still are sabotaged under their leadership. This is mainly propagated by communist leaders whose concerns are not in the interest of the broader community. The concept of neo-colonialism has significantly underscored how state governments’ standards have been reduced to 'flag self-rule.' The colonists currently do not use force, as it used to be in the past. Economic and political controls by the elites have been taken advantage of by many. The issues of nepotism, corruption, and human rights violations are the products of self-seeking leaders who do not have the heart for morality and social right protection. The civilian killings and well-orchestrated brutality among members of the society by the government is a clear indication that some nations of the world are profoundly experiencing the claws and fangs of Colonialism in the present age. Governments and international bodies have a role to play in intervening and salvaging the morality of the society that is draining into the well of detriment.