A Political History of Self-Determination in Adom Getachew's Worldmaking after Empire
Dec 14, 2020
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In this discussion, Adom Getachew, a political theorist focusing on race, empire, and postcolonial thought, delves into her book, Worldmaking after Empire. She examines the historical context of self-determination, linking it to anti-colonial movements and the complexities of neo-imperialism. Getachew shares insights on key figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Julius Nyerere, critiques the paradoxes of inclusion within modern frameworks, and introduces her concept of "unequal integration," urging a reevaluation of justice and equity in today's society.
Dr. Adom Getachew highlights the dual role of historical figures like W.E.B. Du Bois in advancing both self-determination and global transformation.
The podcast critiques traditional decolonization narratives, emphasizing the nuanced struggles against imperial structures and capitalist dynamics post-independence.
Getachew's concept of 'unequal integration' urges contemporary movements to critically re-evaluate terms like self-determination to retain their transformative potential.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Self-Determination
The podcast discusses the historical evolution of the concept of self-determination, emphasizing its ties to anti-colonial movements and imperial projects. Dr. Adam Girachu illustrates how figures like W.E. Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah contributed to the discourse around self-determination and its implications for national independence. While these leaders were often seen as nationalists focused on state-building, Girachu argues they also envisioned a transformation of global relations to secure true independence. This dual focus highlights the complexities within the ideology of self-determination and its reception in the post-colonial context.
Competing Narratives of Decolonization
The conversation explores contrasting narratives regarding decolonization, particularly critiquing the standard accounts often seen in Western academia. Girachu highlights how these traditional narratives view decolonization mainly as the inclusion of colonies into an expanding international society dominated by Western powers. In contrast, her analysis presents decolonization as a more nuanced process, revealing it as intertwined with imperial structures and capitalist dynamics. This reframing encourages a reassessment of what decolonization means and how it manifests in the global political landscape.
Neocolonialism and Internal Conflicts
The discussion also delves into the Congo crisis of 1960 as a pivotal event illustrating the complexities of self-determination amidst Cold War dynamics. The crisis, arising shortly after Congo's independence, exposed the fragility of newly liberated states, caught in the web of external interventions and internal power struggles. Nkrumah's perspective on the crisis frames it as an example of neocolonialism, where foreign interests exploit weak governments post-independence, destabilizing their sovereignty. This situation raises critical questions about the implications of territorial integrity versus the diverse needs of the populations within these states.
Visions of Federalism and Non-Domination
Girachu introduces the principle of non-domination as essential to understanding the anti-colonial nationalists' vision for federation among newly independent states. Leaders like Nkrumah and Manley advocated for regional federations as a means to counteract the economic inequalities imposed by former colonial powers. They envisioned a collective strategy to foster greater political equality and economic independence by reducing dependence on global markets. However, the challenge of maintaining sovereignty and avoiding hierarchical dominance within federations proved difficult, leading to debates and ultimately less effective methods for cooperation.
Contemporary Relevance of Anti-Colonial Thought
The podcast concludes by reflecting on the lessons from historical anti-colonial struggles and their relevance to modern concepts of equity and inclusion. Girachu posits that terms like self-determination and equity are shaped significantly by historical contexts and must be critically evaluated to avoid losing their transformative potential. She raises important points about the need for contemporary movements to reassess these terms, particularly in institutional settings, where they may be co-opted or diluted. This discussion underscores the ongoing importance of historical awareness in shaping effective strategies for justice and equality in today's world.
In this episode we interview Dr. Adom Getachew. Getachew is a political theorist with research interests in the history of political thought, theories of race and empire, and postcolonial political theory. Her work focuses on the intellectual and political histories of Africa and the Caribbean.
In this episode we discuss her 2019 book Worldmaking after Empire: The Rise and Fall of Self-Determination. In discussion she shares with us the historical development of the concept of Self-Determination and its relationship to anti-colonial movements as well as imperial projects. She touches on the work of George Padmore, CLR James, W.E.B. Du Bois, Eric Williams, Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Julius Nyerere, Michael Manley and others.
Getachew shares contradictions within the concept of self-determination and how the worldmaking visions of anti-colonial nationalists attempted to repurpose institutions like the United Nations. She also discusses the elasticity of empire, and contradictions that arose in the late 1970’s which precipitated the decline of these worldmaking projects, and the onslaught of the global neoliberal order.
Finally we discuss her concept of “unequal integration” and the modern institutional language of diversity, equity & inclusion.
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