What is Settler Colonialism?| Postcolonial Concepts| Postcolonialism| Postcolonial Theory

Summary

In this video, Masood Raja explains the concept of settler colonialism, contrasting it with occupational colonialism. Settler colonialism involves European settlers taking over lands, often eliminating or isolating native populations, and establishing their own cultures and control systems. Examples include Algeria, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. The video discusses the importance of distinguishing between settler and occupational colonialism in postcolonial studies, emphasizing the different perspectives and power dynamics in literature from these regions. It also touches on contemporary issues related to settler colonialism, such as land ownership and cultural impacts in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The term 'settler colonialism' is used in contrast to 'occupational colonialism', highlighting a different approach where settlers establish control over a territory and its resources.
• 🏰 Occupational colonialism is characterized by invasion, resource appropriation, and eventual withdrawal post-decolonization, as seen in countries like India, Kenya, and Nigeria.
• 🛡 Settler colonialism involves the establishment of European settlers who either destroy or overpower native cultures and develop distinct strategies for control and survival.
• 📚 Albert Memmi's 'The Colonizer and the Colonized' discusses the loyalty of the settlers to the European mother country, rather than to the native cultures they inhabit.
• 🌍 Examples of settler colonialism include Algeria, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada, where settlers established themselves and often isolated or decimated the native populations.
• 📖 The distinction between settler and occupational colonialism is crucial in postcolonial studies to understand the power dynamics in literary production from formerly colonized countries.
• 🤔 Early post-colonial theorists, like Bill Ashcroft, often conflated literature from settler colonies with postcolonial literature, not recognizing the settler's dominant perspective.
• 🔍 Contemporary postcolonial studies emphasize the difference, acknowledging that literature from settler colonies may not be postcolonial due to its origins from a dominant group.
• 🌱 The study of settler colonialism extends to current issues, such as the occupation of Palestinian lands by Israeli settlers and the impact on native American populations in the United States.
• 🌐 Applying the concept of settler colonialism within post-colonies like India reveals internal divisions and power dynamics between dominant groups and marginalized communities.
• 💡 Settler colonialism is a distinct historical phenomenon where European settlers captured territory, developed subcultures, and became dominant groups, impacting current global and national orders.

Q & A

What is the term 'settler colonialism' used in opposition to?

The term 'settler colonialism' is used in opposition to a different form of colonialism, such as occupational or canal colonialism.

What is the primary distinction between occupational colonialism and settler colonialism?

Occupational colonialism involves invasion, resource appropriation, and eventual departure after decolonization, whereas settler colonialism involves taking over land, overpowering or destroying native cultures, and settling in the territory.

According to Albert Memmi in his book 'The Colonizer and the Colonized', what is the typical loyalty of the colonizers?

In Memmi's view, the colonizers' loyalties are usually always with the European mother country and never really transform into loyalties for the native cultures.

Can you provide an example of a settler colony where the settlers were eventually ousted?

Algeria is a notable example where French settlers claimed to be Algerian but were eventually ousted.

What are some other examples of settler colonialism mentioned in the script?

Other examples include Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada, where European settlers established themselves and often isolated or wiped out the native populations.

Why is the distinction between settler colonialism and occupational colonialism important in postcolonial studies?

The distinction is important because it allows for a more nuanced understanding of literary production from formerly colonized countries, preventing the conflation of literature produced by European settlers with postcolonial literature.

What is the issue with early theorists of post-colonial studies like Bill Ashcroft in their book 'The Empire Writes Back'?

Early theorists like Ashcroft did not make the clear distinction between settler and occupational colonialism, leading to the inclusion of Canadian, American, Australian, and New Zealand literature in the postcolonial canon without considering their settler origins.

How can the concept of settler colonialism be applied to the study of the occupation of Palestinian lands by Israeli settlers?

Settler colonialism can be used to analyze the power dynamics and the impact on the native population, as well as the current political implications of such occupations.

What role does settler colonialism play in the politics and culture of countries like India and Pakistan?

In countries like India and Pakistan, settler colonialism can be seen in the dominance of certain groups over others, such as the rights of Adivasis and Dalits in India, and the influence of Punjabi settlers in smaller provinces of Pakistan.

Why is the example of Zimbabwe significant in the context of settler colonialism?

Zimbabwe's attempt to redistribute land and the subsequent economic isolation and uproar from Europe illustrate the challenges faced by countries trying to undo the privileges of settler colonists and redistribute land equitably.