ABSTRACT
Postcolonial theory, with its criticism of Western universalism and sensitivity towards local subjects and power relationships between global centres and local populations, was easily accessed to be used by conservative and xenophobic actors. Polish–US literary scientist Ewa Thompson published during the Cold War mostly on Gombrowicz and Russian formalism. The intervention of Ewa Thompson in the Polish public debate came in conjunction with others. In fact, it was part of the rise of the Polish conservative intelligentsia. The adaptation of postcolonial theory for conservative use had of course its critics. In the Czech context, during the 2000s, we do not find a rise of autochthonous conservative thought comparable to the Polish one in the latter’s use of postcolonial theory. Ilona Švihlíková’s book contributed to the debate about the position of Czech workers in an economy dependent on German industry.
