Despite different names, the cultural, psychological and economic forces that have shaped the last 500 years of human history are closely linked to each other.  From the European ‘discovery’ of the New World(s), through years of imperialism and colonialism, from the post-War Development decades (1950s-80s), to today’s era of globalization. Together, all of these time periods constitute a continuum, defined by the similarity in their goals, processes and outcomes. 

For example, a desire for gold and natural resources, upon which to build empires, motivated the Europeans to colonize the rest of the world. Similarly, in the last several decades, the pursuit of profits, of markets and commodities, has driven both the Development and the Globalization agendas.  Some would add that these periods also share an ‘altruistic’ agenda: to civilize, develop, or protect the Other (i.e., those peoples with languages, cultures, histories, values, etc. different from the elite Euro-American white male).  That is, pillage has been justified on ‘moral’ grounds of “making the world safe for democracy”, “reducing poverty”, or “enduring freedom”.

Terrorism and genocide have been the main processes used in the continuum.  In the first 450 years, physical/military prowess was a decisive factor; in the last 50 years, more subtle tools of domination have emerged (the United Nations, free trade, universal schooling, mass media, Human Rights, Science/Technology).  But regardless of the tool, all of the processes devalue the Other in order to manipulate/manage Them.  This manifests not only in the language used to describe common people (from “wild”/”primitive”, to “backward”/”undeveloped”, to “technologically deprived”), but also through the violent elimination of knowledges, languages, and other living traditions.

Such processes have led to similar outcomes.  Colonialism, Development, and Globalization have all resulted in the exploitation of people and of natural resources, brutal oppression, and widespread injustice.  The psycho-cultural internalization of the West is another common effect in the continuum.  Each period has undertaken measures to ensure that the Other consider the West to be progressive, advanced, and living the future of their dreams.  Those who most successfully internalize this ‘truth’ (i.e., the babus) are then used to manage the exploitation process from within.  What this leads to is a ‘mono-culture’: the destruction of diversity in favor of homogenization, and the concentration and control of raw materials in the hands of an elite few.

Sources: Z. Sardar, et al. The Blinded Eye: 500 years of Christopher Columbus. Goa: Other India Press, 1993.

V. Shiva. Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge Boston: South End Press, 1997.