Colonization

Colonization continues to be blamed for the state of the world's poor.

The rich countries in the world today either:

  • were colonial powers (United Kingdom) or were no colonial power (Switzerland)
  • occupy land rich in natural resources, which until recently was occupied by aboriginal peoples (Norway or Canada), or
  • (what's the correct answer here?) embarked on a campaign of modernization? involving government-funded universal education, protection of certain industries, followed free market policies (Hong Kong)...

Examples of former colonies that have successfully developed:[1]

  • Taiwan
  • Korea
  • Singapore

...and to a lesser extent:

  • Malaysia
  • China

Questions

  • Does the history of non-colonies - Thailand & Japan - give us any insight into the path of development?
  • Was (occupied) Japan better off than former colonies in the late 40s?

See also

  • Neo-colonialism
  • Wikipedia: Colonization
  • Wikipedia: Postcolonialism

Notes

  1. ↑ This is a spectrum of course, but it is hoped that by looking at the most successful, we may see some patterns, as well as challenge false generalizations. A far more thorough and rigorous analysis would be useful and no doubt has been done - but where?[expansion needed]


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