Significance of Post-Colonial Critique for Social Anthropology

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Significance of Post-Colonial Critique for Social Anthropology
Post-colonialism, the aftermath of western imperialism, is represented by political, social, economic, and cultural changes that occurred after colonization. This period transpired after the previously colonized nations received independence. Social anthropology is a comparative study of the social and cultural ways of life. Societies vary based on their cultural practices, political and economic arrangements. Therefore, post-colonialism critique for social anthropology is the analysis of cultural, political, economic, and social life after colonization. This concept has been embraced and critiqued by various scholars since the late twentieth century. Central to this concept is the exploration of colonial episteme and discourse, imperial dominance, and European racism. Broadly, post-colonial critique in social anthropology analyzes the effects and the legacies of colonialism and rejects the narratives of Eurocentric masters. The history and legacy of western colonialism are the common foundations that unite both the moral and political consensus on the post-colonial critique. This critique is significant in the concept of social anthropology because it gives an insight into how colonies lived after gaining freedom from colonial powers.
One of the benefits of post-colonial critique for social anthropology is that it enables the present generation to understand the contemporary social, economic, historical, and political aspects. From a social perspective, one can use this tool to explain different phenomena like racism and other social injustices that existed in US and European countries after independence. From an economic viewpoint, the critique evaluates the exploitation of natural resources by white supremacists even after leaving the countries they colonized. Africa, which was the heart of colonization, was rich in resources, which were highly exploited by the imperialists. Post-colonial critique reveals how this exploitation occurred and the economic impact of the available resources. Politically, colonizers dominated the administrative offices and had full control of the people. From a cultural standpoint, the critique elaborates the way of life adopted by colonies after their colonial masters left. Whether or not Western culture influenced the people colonized is also explained. Understanding these elements help individuals to identify core characteristics of societies and cultures and determine how European imperial and colonial power corrupted indigenous culture.
In post-colonial critique, cultural problems, whether in politics, economic, gender relations, human relations, and human rights, can be traced to colonial impositions. In the same context, post-colonial critique highlights the political, economic, cultural, and social systems adopted after independence. Before countries gained independence, the imperial governments introduced harsh labor, slavery, and other forms of oppression to African colonies. How these countries came established plans and governance systems to run their affairs can be understood through post-colonial critique. It is worth noting that independence opened a new way of li...