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Colonialism, Independence, and the Construction of Nation-States

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Investigates studies on colonialism and anti-colonialism from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

  • Traces how the colonial systems in the Global South fell apart, especially those of the second-generation.

  • Appeals to the academics, researchers, and students in the fields of comparative politics, development studies, government, and economics.

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 1-9
  3. A Tumultuous Transition

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 11-23
  4. Emancipation and the Quest for “Development”

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 39-53
  5. Good-Bye to the “Third World”

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 55-72
  6. Captive to Commodities

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 85-95
  7. Nicaragua as a Sobering Illustration

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 97-114
  8. Seeking a New Compass

    • Forrest D. Colburn
    Pages 115-128
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 129-154

About this book

This book investigates studies on colonialism and anti-colonialism from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.  The author begins by recounting the deleterious impact of colonialism and then focuses on the heady days of anti-colonialism nationalism. He traces how the system fell apart: leaders, especially those of the second-generation, often turned out to be inept and corrupt; structural obstacles led poor countries to continue to depend on the export of commodities; advanced countries promised to help, but did not prove useful; when growth was possible, here and there, the fruits of development were seldom distributed widely. This project will appeal to the academics, researchers, and students in the fields of comparative politics, development studies, government, and economics.

Reviews

Why have some poor countries remained “underdeveloped,” or even “failed,” while others have become richer and stronger? In the successful group, have a few—notably China—enhanced methods long used by European imperialists to extract national resources from weaker countries? Has solidarity among poor countries ended? What does the future hold for poor countries? For compelling answers to these questions, read Colburn’s Colonialism, Independence, and the Construction of Nation-States. (Lynn T. White III, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA)

Colburn’s Colonialism, Independence, and the Construction of Nation-States is both an enlightening and enjoyable read.  It is wide-ranging yet enlivened by telling examples. (Michael Doyle, Columbia University, New York, USA)

Forrest Colburn’s Colonialism, Independence, and the Construction of Nation-States is in part, and most significantly, a welcome attempt to revisit the history of basic ideas from the past, that should not have been shelved. Development, Third World, colonialism, North-South, are notions that surfaced in the sixties and seventies, and faded under the influence of excessive enthusiasm for “emerging markets” in the new century. Colburn explains splendidly why the history of these notions, and their content, is more relevant than ever. (Jorge Castañeda, Former Foreign Minister of Mexico and Global Distinguished Professor at New York University (NYU), New York, USA)

Authors and Affiliations

  • City University of New York (CUNY), New York, USA

    Forrest D. Colburn

About the author

Forrest D. Colburn is a Professor in the Department of Political Science, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, USA.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Colonialism, Independence, and the Construction of Nation-States

  • Authors: Forrest D. Colburn

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54716-5

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-54715-8Published: 30 September 2020

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-54716-5Published: 29 September 2020

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 154

  • Number of Illustrations: 17 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Globalization, Regionalism, Comparative Politics

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access