CONTINUOUS INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
SEMESTER – V
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“Neo-Colonialism in Contemporary Societies and its
Impact on Human Rights”
Submitted to: Submitted by:
Dr. Avinash Samal Lakshyata Daga
Ass. Professor of Law Semester: V, B.A LL.B (Hons.)
Section: C
Roll No: 96, ID no: 21/2021/2411
I. INTRODUCTION
The legacy of traditional colonialism, which saw European powers subjugate and exploit vast
swathes of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, is well-documented. However, the end of formal
colonial rule in the mid-20th century did not herald an era of true independence and freedom
for many formerly colonized nations. Instead, it marked the transition to a new form of
domination – neo-colonialism – wherein the mechanisms of control and exploitation shifted
from overt military occupation to more covert and indirect methods.
One of the most grievous outcomes of neo-colonialism is the blatant violation of human
rights that persists in many contemporary societies. Human rights, a fundamental cornerstone
of modern civilization, encompass a wide range of principles and standards aimed at
safeguarding the dignity, equality, and freedom of all individuals. However, the essence of
modern civilisation has emerged through colonial dominion, tainting the global
understanding of what human rights even are and creating an emerging need to reclaim them.
II. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a scramble for colonies among European
powers. This period of imperialism led to the colonization of much of Africa and Asia, with
European nations exerting control over vast territories and resources. 1 After World War II,
decolonization movements gained momentum, leading to the independence of many colonies.
By the 1960s, numerous countries had achieved formal independence. Despite gaining
independence, many newly formed nations found themselves economically dependent on
their former colonial rulers. This pattern of dependency was often maintained through trade
relationships that favoured the former colonial powers.2
Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, popularized the term "neo-colonialism" in his
1965 book, "Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism." He argued that although
1
“Thomas Pakenham, THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA: WHITE MAN’S CONQUEST OF THE DARK CONTINENT
FROM 1876 TO 1912 (1992).
2
Richard Graham & Andre Gunder Frank, Capitalism and underdevelopment in Latin America:
Historical studies of chile and Brazil, 74 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW 1757 (1969). “
formal colonization had ended, Western powers continued to control the economies and
politics of newly independent states.3
III. GLOBAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Human rights, the bedrock of modern civilization, encompass an array of principles and
standards dedicated to upholding the dignity, equality, and freedom of all individuals. These
rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture and discrimination, the right to
education, and the right to participate in political processes, ought to be unassailable.
However, neo-colonialism brazenly assaults these rights on multiple fronts.
Politically, neo-colonialism orchestrates puppet governments, beholden to foreign interests,
rather than responsive to their own people's needs. These governments often assume
authoritarian postures, quelling dissent and encroaching upon political freedoms and rights.
The dearth of genuine democratic processes further cements the architecture of human rights
abuses. Furthermore, neo-colonialism frequently fans the flames of conflicts and instability,
birthing displacement and violence that trigger severe human rights abuses, including
infringements on the right to life and security.
In Nicaragua the 1980s, fearing the rise of communism, the United States provided
extensive financial and military support to the Contras (rebels), seeking to overthrow the
Sandinista government. The conflict resulted in over 30,000 deaths, with countless others
suffering torture and extrajudicial killings. Nicaragua's GDP dropped a third during the
conflict, severely affecting living standards.4
Culturally, neo-colonialism launches a cultural invasion, obliterating indigenous customs
and identities. It thrusts Western values, norms, and institutions upon unwilling societies,
leading to cultural homogenization and a mournful loss of diversity. Consequently, the right
to cultural identity and self-determination is trampled upon.
The Maasai people of East Africa have faced cultural appropriation, with their distinctive
clothing and cultural symbols being commodified and used for profit by Western fashion
3
Kwame Nkrumah, NEO-COLONIALISM: THE LAST STAGE OF IMPERIALISM (1965).
4
Rights in Confrontation: A Human Rights Watch Report on Civilian Devastation in Nicaragua. HUMAN
RIGHTS WATCH, 1988.
designers and companies5 This commodification often occurs without proper attribution or
benefit-sharing with the Maasai community and imposes a capitalistic structure. Land grabs
and tourism development in Maasai territories, resulting in displacement and loss of their
traditional pastoralist way of life, undermining the Maasai's rights to their ancestral lands and
traditional practices.
Economically, it engineers a global power imbalance where multinational corporations and
influential nations exploit natural resources, subjugate cheap labour, and manipulate trade
agreements to the detriment of weaker nations. This economic subjugation perpetuates
extreme poverty, hampers access to basic necessities, and stifles economic opportunities for
the citizens of neo-colonized nations. Many developing countries are burdened with heavy
debts owed to powerful nations and international financial institutions. These debts can lead
to austerity measures that undermine social services, healthcare, and education, infringing
upon the right to a decent standard of living.
Zambia is a tale of economic constraints fuelled by neo-colonialism. As Zambia's debt soars
beyond 120% of GDP, and external control tightens its grip as Zambia's external debt crosses
$10 billion, enforcing austerity measures6, human rights violations intensify, particularly in
healthcare and education. Zambia's debt crisis is a testament to enduring neo-colonial forces.
They translate into drastic cuts in public spending, perpetuating dependency and inequality.
Reduced funding erodes access to vital medical services, violating the right to health.
Education suffers similarly, with overcrowded, underfunded schools obstructing the right to
education. Zambia's reliance on copper exports, rooted in its colonial history, renders it
vulnerable to global market fluctuations.7 This dependency restricts sovereignty, with human
rights at stake.
Dependency theory offers a lens through which we can understand and confront the
enduring grip of neocolonialism. One of the seminal works in the development of
dependency theory is "The Development of Underdevelopment" by Raúl Prebisch (1962).
Prebisch, an Argentine economist, highlighted the structural inequalities in international
trade. To break free, nations must diversify their economies, reducing reliance on raw
5
Trench, B., Cultural Misappropriation: The Intersection of Fashion and Intellectual Property. COLUMBIA
JOURNAL OF LAW & THE ARTS, 2014 38(3), 281-315.
6
Zambia: Request for Extended Credit Facility - Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive
Director for Zambia, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, 2021.
7
Zambia Economic Brief: Making Mining Work for Zambia, WORLD BANK, 2020.
material exports, and investing in manufacturing and domestic industries. Regional
cooperation, through economic blocs and trade agreements, can strengthen bargaining power
in global markets. Renegotiating foreign debt terms and advocating for fair trade practices
will reduce economic dependency. Education and innovation are keys to self-reliance. A
skilled workforce and technological advancements drive economic growth. Political
sovereignty and good governance are vital, ensuring decisions serve national interests, not
external pressures.
IV. CONCLUSION
Neo-colonialism in contemporary societies has its roots in the historical colonial period when
European powers established vast empires across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Although
formal colonialism officially ended in the mid-20th century, the legacy and practices of
colonization continue to shape the relationship between powerful and less powerful nations.
As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is imperative that we recognize the
insidious nature of neo-colonialism and work collectively to address the human rights
violations it perpetuates, only after revamping the definition of human rights itself. Through
targeted awareness, and global cooperation can we hope to dismantle the structures that
sustain neo-colonialism and safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of
their place of birth or circumstances of life.
