ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the transformative impact of colonization and decolonization on the Indo-Pacific. It examines how the region's colonial encounters, particularly with European powers, reshaped political, social, and territorial configurations, laying the foundations for contemporary statehood. The chapter first traces the historical phases of colonization, from early European maritime expansion to the establishment of imperial empires, highlighting variations in governance, control mechanisms, and local resistance. It then analyzes the decolonization processes that unfolded mainly after World War II, emphasizing the role of indigenous movements, global power shifts, and connections with Cold War dynamics. The chapter further investigates how the ideal of Westphalian sovereignty was adopted and adapted by newly independent states, often blending modern statehood with colonial and imperial legacies. In this sense, the chapter also draws points to the enduring relevance of colonial legacies in shaping national identities, territorial disputes, and political systems in the region.
