ABSTRACT
Colonialism, postcolonialism, neocolonialism: three isms that dependupon the figure of the colony. In the preface to this book we remark that theory – particularly when it takes the form of isms – can seem intimidating or simply boring. Deeply desiring to be neither, we also have good theoretical reasons for feeling wary of isms. As Martin Heidegger put it: ‘Every mere ism is a misunderstanding and the death of history’ (Heidegger 1967, 60-1). This assertion draws attention to the ways in which isms inevitably encourage generalization, abstractness, a lack of critical clarity and of historical awareness. But saying this of course does not make isms go away. Isms are convenient, as well as deadly. Here are three convenient, if deadly, definitions: ‘colonialism’ is ‘the policy or practice of obtaining, or maintaining hold over, colonies, esp with the purpose of exploiting them’ (Chambers Dictionary); ‘postcolonialism’ is concerned with what ‘occur[s] or exist[s] after the end of colonial rule’ (Shorter OED); ‘neocolonialism’ is concerned with the continuing effects of colonialism after the end of colonial rule, and thus with a questioning of the break implied by the post-of ‘postcolonial’. Much ism-izing energy has been spent on the distinctions or lack of distinctions between these various terms. For example, the authors of The Empire Writes Back (1989) argue that the term ‘postcolonial’ should be seen as covering ‘all the culture affected by the imperial process from the moment of colonization to the present day’ (Ashcroft, Griffiths and Tiffin 1989, 2). This definition mingles colonialism and ‘postcoloniality’, and also mixes itself up with the arguably more rigorous and precise conception of ‘neocolonialism’ as involving ‘the half-hidden narratives of colonialism’s success in its continuing operations’ (Young 1991b, 3). Rather than engage directly with these various isms, we propose in this chapter to try to reflect on them indirectly, by focusing on what is common to
them all (the colony) and by considering a series of related topics: language, time, point of view, writing, law, justice and drama.
