The Effect of Colonialism On The World

Sometime I think about the problems and effects that colonialism have caused in the whole world. Is it good or bad? “Colonialism has always had a bad reputation” (1). I suppose in essence, for the people being colonized, it cannot be a good thing. The world wide scramble for colonies, particularly in the late 19 early 20th centaury, had a tremendous negative effects on the economic, social, and political structures of indigenous, non-industrialized people. The idea of colonialism is to take resources from one country to use for the benefit of the colonizing country. “Colonialism is the extension of a nation's sovereignty over territory and people outside its own boundaries, often to facilitate economic domination over their resources, labor, and markets. The term also refers to a set of beliefs used to legitimize or promote this system, especially the belief that the mores of the colonizer are superior to those of the colonized.”(2). Some may argue they did it out of religion: to spread the gospel. But in reality, it comes from the power to fight back within Europe. It is a competition in resources, military muscles, political programs, at a time when Europe began its successful age.

One thing for sure, all colonized countries go through a period of downward fall after freedom. But if we look at the world today, some interesting developments appear. While some countries took what they learnt from their colonizer, i.e. technological advancement, and used it to its own advantage, some even manage to exceed its past dictatorship. On the other hand, there are countries which struggled or is still struggling, in civil wars, in economic disturbances, and various other problems. What is often used as scapegoat for these countries' curr...

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...igh literacy rate, with a strong leaders - doctors, lawyers, bankers, economists, artists, etc. Japan also established telephone lines and road systems; upgraded railroad systems. “The major secular concern invariably centers around the extent to which Japanese colonizers contributed as well as hindered the development in Taiwan.”(3) Although Japan invested in all these infrastructural developments for its own intentional presence on the island. The people of Taiwan was able to use these to its own advantage.

I think perhaps before blaming people’s misfortunes on past events that we cannot change, we should ask ourselves what can we do to change our situations TODAY. Every person/country in this world has its own unique background. Some are luckier than others over the years/centuries, but it is our current actions that set us apart.