Colonial Policy Research Articles

Racial discourses and colonial education policy: The discursive construction of education development at a historically white South African university

Motivated by critiques from black students during the protests (2015-2016), I trace continuities between the racialised discourses and knowledge regimes that justified colonial education policies and that of Education Development at a historically white South African university. First, I show how the University of Cape Town’s Humanities Education Development Programme racialised and misrecognised black students, despite attempted reforms. Secondly, I trace the discursive formation of the ED project - from the assimilationist discourse of missionary education; the adapted model of trusteeship; the production of race science during apartheid; to a return to assimilationist discourse via the Cape Liberal tradition during apartheid’s demise. However, after a generation of inferior Banu Education, the attempt to assimilate black students into historically white universities’ curricula was not feasible. Instead, an adapted, remedial model was proposed that became entrenched post-apartheid by a state and HE system that failed to transform its inherited Eurocentric curriculum.

Nubians Are Baganda from Bombo: Unpacking the Luwalo Tax Protests and the Nubian Identity Crisis in Colonial Buganda (1891-1940)

This study challenges the dominant narrative that the 1940 Luwalo tax protests in Buganda were solely a result of the Nubians' militant and uncompromising nature. Instead, it posits that these protests were deeply rooted in unresolved identity issues imposed on the Nubian community by British colonial authorities since their arrival in Uganda in the 1890s. By examining the 1940 protest and the subsequent arrest and imprisonment of Nubian protesters, the research raises critical questions about the politics of colonial identity construction and deconstruction. It investigates why some Nubians resisted the payment of native taxes while others complied, the minimal press coverage of the protests, and the role of colonial tax policies, such as the Luwalo tax, in reshaping Nubian identity. Additionally, the study highlights the often-overlooked role of Nubian women in these protests. A historical research methodology was employed, utilizing both primary and secondary sources, including government documents, colonial correspondences, and newspapers, to uncover the broader socio-political context of the protests. Oral histories, gathered through interviews with 5 surviving Nubian elders and 9 of their descendants, provided valuable insights into identity struggles and the impact of colonial policies. This combination of archival research and oral history offers an elaborate analysis of how colonial tax policies influenced Nubian identity, contributing to the broader narrative of resistance and identity preservation within the community

“Swoop and Grab Your Rights”

Abstract This article centers community archives as sources of history as well as sites of theory to map interconnected social and ecological struggles in the Niti Valley of the central Himalayas from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth centuries. Tolchha and Marchha communities have integrated different ecological belts over centuries through lifeways of trade, pastoralism, and herb gathering. Colonial and postcolonial policies threatened to sever these lifeways through militarized borders, timber extraction, and the demarcation of the exclusive boundaries of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Yet tribal communities have fought to maintain ancestral relations with land by infringing upon colonial restrictions and defying dichotomies of nature and culture through the postcolonial Chipko and Jhapto Cheeno movements. Juxtaposing official archives with community archives from Lata Village, this article argues that leaders of people's movements have sought to reclaim authority over Himalayan history and resituate rural struggles within the framework of Indigenous spatial knowledges.

The Pangsau Pass: Historical, Cultural, And Geopolitical Dimensions Of Border Construction Between Arunachal Pradesh And Myanmar

The Pangsau Pass, straddling the border between Arunachal Pradesh (India) and Myanmar, has historically functioned as a critical node for trade, cultural exchange, and geopolitical strategies. This paper delves into the pass’s historical importance, its role in cultural interactions, and the political dynamics that have shaped its significance. The study explores the pass's use as a trade route and cultural conduit prior to and following British colonial interventions. It further examines the impacts of colonial policies, including the Treaty of Yandabo and the Simla Convention, on regional socio-cultural landscapes. Additionally, the paper addresses the effects of modern border management and infrastructure developments, highlighting the resilience of indigenous communities and the continuing relevance of historical routes in current geopolitical contexts.

Colonialism as a Social Determinant of Health in Puerto Rico: Using the Socioecological Model to Examine How the Jones Act Impacted Health After Hurricane María.

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, making Puerto Ricans vulnerable to damaging colonial policy. The purpose of this article is to utilize the socioecological model (SEM) to evaluate how the Jones Act impacted Puerto Rico after Hurricane María, examining colonialist policy as a social determinant of health (SDOH) in Puerto Rico. Levels of the SEM used in this examination included: individual, institutional, community, policy, and context. Evaluation of the Jones Act using the model demonstrated relationships between all socioecological levels. The Jones Act caused delays and increased prices for goods needed to rebuild community utility infrastructure, which led to extended closures of institutions like workplaces, schools, and hospitals, and ultimately contributed to increased acute and chronic physical and mental illness among Puerto Ricans. This evaluation establishes that colonialist policy negatively impacts the health of Puerto Ricans, positioning colonialism as an SDOH.

Protecting ancient water harvesting technologies in India: strategies for climate adaptation and sustainable development with global lessons

IntroductionAncient water harvesting systems, such as those from the Indus Valley Civilization (~3500 BCE), have been vital for irrigation and climate resilience, especially in arid regions. One such prominent system in South Asia, called tank irrigation, initially thrived through community management but declined post-independence due to colonial policies and neglect in Sri Lanka and India. This study evaluates current policy frameworks and rehabilitation programs to enhance the resilience of these systems in India, develop strategies for their protection and adaptation to climate change, and integrate global lessons for sustainable development.MethodsA systematic meta-analysis of grey literature was conducted to aggregate data on policy constraints. Policy analysis involved detailed investigations of relevant documents, regulations, and comparative analyses of frameworks at regional and national levels. Pilot projects on tank rehabilitation were assessed through reported case studies and field surveys to gauge impact. Thematic analysis was used to explore the global potential of these systems in climate resilience and overall environmental sustainability.ResultsThe analysis showed that pilot projects for tank rehabilitation had limited success in achieving sustainability under current climate conditions. Tank irrigation systems are crucial for adapting to extreme weather, including floods, droughts, and heat waves, replenishing groundwater, reducing soil erosion, and ensuring reliable water supplies. Traditional water harvesting technologies support 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water access, hunger reduction, gender equality, and climate action. Integrating AI and machine learning in water management benefits disaster response, while eco-tourism aids system maintenance and cultural awareness.DiscussionThe study underscores the need for policy reforms to enhance tank rehabilitation and institutional arrangements. It calls for increased beneficiary participation and constitutional recognition of current practices. Strategic, national-scale assessments and resilience targets are recommended to improve the effectiveness of such water harvesting systems in mitigating natural hazards and enhancing environmental services.

HOUSING, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND SETTLEMENT POLICY FROM A RESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE – THE TRADITIONS AND PRESENT OF THE IGS ENVIRONMENT

The text outlines the reasoning of representatives of the Institute of Social Economy (IGS) in the area from early courts on housing issues by understanding, determining and defining municipal and social policy for those regarding housing and settlement policy considered from today's perspective. The issues of housing, municipal, social and settlement policy contained in the text are only a small spectrum of residence. It does not include the work of representatives of the IGS focusing on various aspects and cross-sections of these types of policies and works on demographic and economic phenomena and processes constituting a significant cause and at the same time the effect of shaping the housing and settlement situation deciding to inhabiting. The selection of publications cited in the text illustrates the most important substantive content in the adopted consideration.

Political Economy of Maternal Child Malnutrition: Experiences about Water, Food, and Nutrition Policies in Pakistan.

This study examined access to water, food, and nutrition programs among marginalized communities in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, and their effects on nutrition. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in this study. We held two focus group discussions (one with 10 males and one with 10 females) and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 key stakeholders, including 20 mothers and 10 healthcare providers. A survey of 235 households was carried out to evaluate water and food insecurity, with the data analyzed using Wilcoxon's rank-sum test, t-test, and Pearson's chi-square test. The results revealed that 90% of households experienced moderate-to-severe water insecurity, and 73% faced moderate-to-severe food insecurity. Household water and food insecurity were positively correlated with each other (correlation coefficient = 0.205; p = 0.004). Greater household water (p = 0.028) and food insecurity (p < 0.001) were both associated with higher perceived stress. Furthermore, lower socioeconomic status was strongly related to higher levels of water (p < 0.001) and food insecurity (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlight the impact of colonial and post-colonial policies, which have resulted in water injustice, supply issues, and corruption in water administration. Women face significant challenges in fetching water, including stigma, harassment, and gender vulnerabilities, leading to conflicts and injuries. Water scarcity and poor quality adversely affect sanitation, hygiene, and breastfeeding practices among lactating mothers. Structural adjustment policies have exacerbated inflation and reduced purchasing power. Respondents reported a widespread lack of dietary diversity and food quality. Nutrition programs face obstacles such as the exclusion of people with low social and cultural capital, underfunding, weak monitoring, health sector corruption, and the influence of formula milk companies allied with the medical community and bureaucracy. This study concludes that addressing the macro-political and economic causes of undernutrition should be prioritized to improve nutrition security in Pakistan.

Chinese cemeteries in Indonesian colonial and post-colonial urban areas: Resistance, urban expansion, nationalistic aspiration, and post-colonial governmentality

Chinese quarters played a significant role in numerous Southeast Asian port cities, with Chinese trading communities thriving for hundreds of years. The proof of the importance of these communities is evident in the presence of Chinatowns and Chinese cemeteries, serving as places for both living and death, in several coastal cities in Southeast Asia. This study investigates Chinese cemeteries in Semarang&amp;rsquo;s spatial city structure during the colonial period and the gradual transformation of these cemeteries in post-colonial Indonesia amidst turbulent urban development and political conditions. In post-colonial Southeast Asia, city development serves as a platform for nationalistic aspirations. This article explores the roles of Chinese cemeteries as an act of subversion against colonial laws and their gradual disappearance due to city expansion in post-colonial Indonesia. The exploration through the colonial policies concerning land and the placement of the Chinese community, followed by post-colonial policies and urban governmentality on city development and real urban growth practices, provides an opportunity to discuss the roles of Chinese cemeteries for the Indonesian Chinese community in Semarang and their fate in post-colonial urban areas of Indonesia.

The Colonial Era and Beyond

This paper explores the historical and cultural evolution of Korean music from the Japanese colonial period to the contemporary K-pop industry. It examines the impact of Japanese colonial policies on Korean cultural identity and how traditional Korean music served as a form of resistance. Following liberation, American influences significantly shaped the Korean music scene, leading to the emergence of K-pop. The paper discusses the role of early K-pop groups and solo acts, including their strategic entry into the Japanese market. It also highlights the political and economic tensions between Korea and Japan, exemplified by controversies involving K-pop idols. The study underscores the intertwined nature of politics, culture, and history in shaping the global success of K-pop, while also reflecting on the enduring effects of colonialism and international relations on Korean popular music.

IMPACT OF BRITISH COLONIALISM ON THE ỌDIONWERE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTION IN BENIN KINGDOM, NIGERIA

This study examines the profound impact of British colonialism on the Odionwere conflict management institution in Benin Kingdom, Nigeria. Before the colonial intervention, the Odionwere played a crucial role in resolving disputes and maintaining social harmony within the community. However, the advent of British colonial rule in the late 19th century significantly changed traditional governance structures. The imposition of indirect rule by the British colonial administrators altered the Benin Kingdom’s power dynamics, marginalizing the Odionwere’s authority. The establishment of colonial courts and the introduction of Western legal systems further undermined the traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. This study explores how the Odionwere, once central to dispute resolution, experienced a decline in influence and autonomy as colonial policies reshaped the socio-political landscape. By meticulously analyzing archival documents, oral histories, and ethnographic data, this research contributes to understanding the intricate interplay between colonialism and Indigenous institutions, shedding light on the lasting repercussions of colonial policies on local governance structures and conflict resolution practices in the Benin Kingdom.

The cross-regional settlement methods in hospitals and the treatment-seeking behavior of patients with malignant tumors in China: an evolutionary game model.

Cross-regional settlement management is a key indicator of national health insurance system maturity. Given the significant demand for cross-regional medical treatment among Chinese patients with malignant tumors and the territorially managed health insurance system, further research is necessary to explore the relationship between hospital settlement methods and treatment-seeking behaviors among these patients. This study introduces and validates an evolutionary game model that provides a theoretical foundation for direct settlement policies in cross-regional treatment. An evolutionary game model was constructed with patients and hospitals serving as strategic players within a dynamic system. This model integrates the patients' treatment utility, medical and nonmedical costs, and hospitals' financial and technological advancement benefits. The evolutionary stability analysis revealed seven-game outcomes between hospitals and patients with malignant tumors. The numerical simulations suggest an evolutionary convergence toward strategy (1, 0), indicating a trend where patients with malignant tumors opt for cross-regional treatment, yet hospitals choose not to implement a direct settlement policy. Parameter sensitivity analysis showed that the parameters set in this study affected player behavioral choices and game equilibria. A strong demand for cross-regional medical treatment among Chinese patients with malignant tumors, and some hospitals require more incentives to implement cross-regional settlements. The key factors influencing the willingness of some patients with malignant tumors to resettle include the costs of in-area medical care, costs of cross-regional treatment without direct settlement, and the utility of cross-regional treatment. Technological advancement benefits and input costs influence some hospitals' motivation to adopt cross-regional settlements. Policy adjustments that effectively implement direct settlement policies can facilitate equilibrium, enhance the initiatives of some local health insurance management departments, improve the accessibility and efficiency of medical services, and reduce nonmedical expenses for patients.

Birth Outcomes Among First Nations Birthing Parents Incarcerated While Pregnant: A Linked Administrative Data Study From Manitoba, Canada

BackgroundIn Canada, colonial policies have resulted in health inequities between First Nations and other Canadians. These policies contribute to overrepresentation of First Nations in the criminal legal system, where incarcerated people and their infants face elevated health risks. We investigated the association between prenatal incarceration and adverse birth outcomes among First Nations and other birthing parents in Manitoba, Canada. MethodsUsing linked whole-population administrative data, we identified all live births (2004–2017) in which the birthing parent (First Nations n = 1,449; other Manitoban n = 278) was prenatally incarcerated and compared them to birthing parents who were postnatally incarcerated (First Nations n = 5,290; other Manitoban n = 790) or not incarcerated (First Nations n = 19,950; other Manitoban n = 3,203). We used generalized linear models adjusted for measured confounders with propensity score weighting to calculate risk differences and 95% confidence intervals for adverse birth outcomes among those prenatally versus postnatally incarcerated in each group. ResultsLow birthweight births were more likely among First Nations birthing parents who were prenatally (vs. postnatally) incarcerated (risk difference 1.59, 95% CI [.79, 2.38]) but less likely among other Manitoban birthing parents (risk difference −2.33, 95% CI [−4.50, −.16]) who were prenatally (vs. postnatally) incarcerated. Among First Nations, prenatal incarceration was also associated with large-for-gestational-age births, low Apgar scores, and no breastfeeding (vs. postnatal incarceration), as well as preterm births (vs. no incarceration). Among other Manitobans, prenatal incarceration was also associated with small-for-gestational-age births, low Apgar scores, and no breastfeeding (vs. postnatal incarceration), as well as preterm births (vs. no incarceration). ConclusionsThe findings suggest that incarceration may contribute to intergenerational systems of oppression by compromising birth outcomes among First Nations and other birthing parents in Canada and underscore the need to both improve care for pregnant people who are incarcerated and invest in alternatives to incarceration.

Sustainable tourism development and Indigenous protected and conserved areas in sub-arctic Canada

Rural and northern Indigenous communities across Canada are pursuing new Indigenous-led conservation partnerships with Crown governments as critical alternatives to Western conservation and extractive industries regimes. Colonial conservation policies and industrial development continue to displace Indigenous Peoples from their ancestral territories, with great consequences to land-based economies, food security, and knowledges. Indigenous-led conservation is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of initiatives that includes Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Indigenous communities lead the creation, management, and stewardship of these protected areas, which are guided by localized knowledge and priorities. This creates unique opportunities to build new and bolster existing tourism businesses with sustainable socio-economic, cultural, and environmental outcomes. Our research examines Indigenous-led conservation and tourism in the Dene/Métis community of Fort Providence, Northwest Territories, located adjacent to Canada's first official Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, Edéhzhíe. Guided by Indigenous methodologies and collaborative approaches, this paper presents the analysis of 23 semi-structured interviews with Elders, knowledgeable land users, and community members. While tourism development in the community is currently limited, our results indicate that participants are hopeful about the contributions of Edéhzhíe and tourism to sustainable economies, cultural resurgence, and environmental stewardship in the surrounding communities. Participants demonstrate that Indigenous-led conservation and tourism have the potential to challenge existing colonial, capitalist land use regimes and foster Indigenous governance, reconciliatory processes, and environmental resiliency. Our findings can be used by other Indigenous communities to inform conservation and sustainable development goals related to regional tourism economies.

The making of a ‘narco-state’: Opium consumption, trade and regulations on the northeastern frontier of British India

Opium was one of the highly valued-commodities traded in the northeastern frontier of British India. This article argues that the introduction of opium in the region was in line with the British policy of introducing high-value commodities trade in the colonies. This policy helped extract raw materials and expand exchanges in new territories. Second, this policy of introducing cash crops was subtle. Opium was introduced as a cash crop decades before tea was ‘discovered’ in the region. The acreage remained low as compared to tea plantations. Opium’s value in terms of its revenue-generating capacity was the highest in comparison with tea and salt. Lastly, opium was disposed of through the state-run, monopolistic trade networks. Opium cultivation was discontinued in the British territories in Assam in 1860. All demands for poppy were subsequently met by importing opium from the rest of South Asia. The state-run and state-promoted tea and opium trades sustained the empire’s control over resources and lubricated the state machinery. Monopoly over the opium trade was crucial to control labour/resources and finance the Empire. The colonial regime built the ‘narco-state’ in the northeastern frontier to expand and sustain its trading interests. The exploration of the colonial policies and measures in this regard also interrogates the nature of political economy in the region in the period under study.

Gender and the public realm in Nigeria: Hannah Arendt‘s perspective

Hannah Arendt, renowned for her insights into political philosophy, particularly in "The Human Condition" and "On Revolution", delineates the dichotomy between the public and private realms. In her analysis, the public sphere represents a space of political agency and rational discourse, crucial for the realization of human freedom and equality. Conversely, the private realm, characterized by necessity and domesticity, traditionally excludes women from active participation in public affairs. This study explores Arendt's theories to analyze gender exclusion in Nigeria's public realm. Historically, Nigerian women have faced systemic marginalization, confined to the private sphere, hindering their political participation. This research aims to evaluate women's representation in Nigerian politics, the impact of colonial and post-colonial policies, and the role of patriarchal structures. Integrating Arendt's framework with gender theory and social exclusion, the study underscores the need for constitutional amendments and cultural shifts to enhance women's political agency. This research proposes multifaceted solutions. These include legislative reforms to promote gender equality, educational initiatives to empower women politically, and cultural shifts to challenge stereotypes and biases against women in leadership roles. Such interventions are crucial for dismantling existing barriers and fostering a more inclusive public sphere where women's voices are heard and their contributions are valued. This research uniquely applies Arendt’s political theory to the contemporary issue of gender exclusion in Nigerian politics, providing a comprehensive analysis that links historical, cultural, and structural factors. It offers actionable recommendations to improve women's political representation and participation, fostering women's education, political advocacy, and cultural change to achieve a more egalitarian society.

Political and cultural situation in Kazakhstan in the XVIII–XIX centuries (historical aspect)

The article describes the political situation and cultural situation of the Kazakh land in the period of the Russian Empire and describes the fact that in the XVIII–XIX centuries, the Tsarist authorities carried out various reforms for the final rule of the Kazakh steppe, expanding the countryethnic basis of the Kazakh people, dividing the ethnic groups, dividing them into provinces and districts, depriving the country of integrity. Our article reflects the colonial policy of the Tsarist government towards the Kazakh Steppe, which in some cases was tactically different from the open robbery attacks of the Khiva and Kokand khanates. It is indicated that the Tsarist government began to use an underground policy that led to the exposure of the Kazakh people to the influence of the Russian state and constant subordination to that state. The article also analyzes the policy of the Tsarist government, how the rulers of the Kazakh steppes work for them, buy them with a large reward.

Communalism Factor in Evolution of Political Situation in British India (1920s-1930s)

This article delves into specific aspects of complex political processes that unfolded in the interwar decades in British India, serving as the foundation for the subsequent decolonization of Hindustan. Drawing from an analysis of documentary sources and literary works, a comprehensive overview is provided regarding the factors shaping Indian communalism and the conceptual perspectives of its proponents during the period under review. The study concludes on the contradictory nature of colonial policy during this period. On one hand, it contributed to the formation of elements of political culture within Indian society and to some extent laid the groundwork for India’s future federative system. On the other hand, its aim was to deepen divisions among various ethno-confessional and social groups of the Indian population to solidify control over a key segment of the British colonial system. The actions of colonial authorities significantly exacerbated relations between key ethno-confessional groups of the Indian population by the late 1930s, setting the stage for the dramatic post-World War II processes leading to the partition of British India into two sovereign entities. The complex relations between these entities largely shape the contemporary character of international relations in South Asia.

Colonial policy, ecological transformations, and agricultural “improvement”: comparing agricultural yields and expansion in the Spanish and U.S. Philippines, 1870–1925 CE

Burgeoning global trade and colonial policies promoted transformations in land use and agriculture throughout tropical regions in the 19th and 20th centuries, but the local and regional ecological consequences of landscape changes are still being identified and analysed. The Philippine Archipelago, which experienced successive colonial regimes across more than 7100 islands, exemplifies the multiplicity of ecological outcomes produced by these transformations. To better characterise diverse landscape change, we use colonial censuses and datasets to assess land use, production and agricultural yields in the Philippines during the late Spanish and early U.S. colonial periods (ca. 1870–1925). Our novel digital, quantitative analysis indicates that, at the national and provincial scales, agricultural production and land use increased for all major crops in both periods, while agricultural yields were mostly constant. Our results suggest that colonial investments to “improve” Philippine agriculture, specifically their efforts to increase production per hectare, were not effective. Our provincial-scale analysis also confirms the importance of distinct labour patterns, geographies and socio-political arrangements in defining this period’s ecological consequences, and we provide quantified and historically contextualised data in a format amenable to ecologists to promote future, localised historic ecological research.

'They don’t really know what they’re getting into': the impact of neoliberal and colonial policies within Israeli institutions of higher education on Palestinian Jerusalemite students

ABSTRACT This study presents the case of Palestinian students from East Jerusalem studying at the education department at a major Israeli University. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with nineteen Palestinian students. The study found that the government’s neoliberal and colonial policies in East Jerusalem influence the students’ motivation, available options and the ability to compete within Israeli institutions of higher education. Furthermore, once the students manage to penetrate Israeli institutions of higher education, they are disillusioned with the experiences they are offered, they do not manage to study the fields that they desire and they are not offered sufficient support within the institution. We contend that this failure on the institutional level to address issues of multiculturalism and Indigenous populations’ unique needs makes the university complicit in maintaining a cultural and epistemic hierarchy.