“The Case For Colonialism:” What DEI Gets WRONG | Peter Boghossian & Bruce Gilley
Jan 10, 2024
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Guests include Peter Boghossian, a professor at Portland State University, and Bruce Gilley, who wrote a controversial article on colonialism. They discuss the Harvard plagiarism scandal, DEI, and the academic landscape. They also delve into Gilley's book on colonialism, debunking myths and discussing the reality of colonialism. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Gilley's career.
Colonialism was driven by Europe's expansive civilization and its offerings of trade, technology, and protection.
Contrary to popular belief, colonialism was often welcomed by local populations who saw benefits in the form of trade, technology, and protection against rival groups.
Decolonization and anti-colonialism ideologies prioritize power and ideology over evidence and rational thinking, hindering the pursuit of truth and intellectual honesty.
Deep dives
Colonialism as a Structural Transformation
Colonialism was part of a massive structural transformation of the world, triggered by Europe's rise and separation from the rest. It was not driven by governments planning conquest, but by Europe's expansive civilization and its offerings of food, technology, and protection.
Engagement and Collaboration
Contrary to popular belief, colonialism was often welcomed by local populations who saw benefits in the form of trade, technology, and protection against rival groups. Friendly and cooperative relationships were prevalent, and resistance was not the norm.
The Case for Colonialism as a Natural Course
The case for colonialism is akin to the case for oxygen in the atmosphere. Europe's expansion into the world was an inevitable outcome of its rise and the demand for resources, trade, and influence. Governments played a role, but colonialism was primarily driven by the natural forces of development and engagement.
Addressing Misconceptions about Colonialism
Misconceptions, perpetuated by books like 'King Leopold's Ghost,' have distorted our understanding of certain colonial episodes, like the Congo Free State. King Leopold's involvement is often mischaracterized as purely evil, when in reality, the situation was complex, with positive contributions made, as well as some incidents of forced labor and conflicts.
The Positive Aspects of Colonialism
The podcast episode challenges common narratives about colonialism, arguing that it had several positive consequences. The host highlights the case of King Leopold's Congo as an example of the misconceptions surrounding colonialism. Contrary to popular belief, the speaker asserts that there is evidence suggesting that the population remained stable, food supplies increased, and slave operations declined during King Leopold's rule. The episode suggests that colonialism brought stability, social opportunities, and access to modern advancements to colonized regions, debunking the notion that colonialism was entirely negative.
The Ideology of Decolonization and Anti-Colonialism
The podcast delves into the ideological aspects of decolonization and anti-colonialism. It critiques how these ideologies prioritize power and ideology over evidence and rational thinking. The speaker argues that anti-colonial movements often prioritize gaining power and resources rather than focusing on the well-being and development of their own societies. The podcast highlights the tendency of these movements to reject historical evidence and engage more in ideology-driven narratives, stifling academic inquiry and debate. It suggests that the dominance of these ideologies in institutional settings, such as universities, can hinder the pursuit of truth and intellectual honesty.
Bruce Gilley is a professor of political science at Portland State University. Bruce wrote an article in 2017 for Third World Quarterly titled, “The case for colonialism.” This enraged people who called for him to lose his academic position and be stripped of his PhD. The article was retracted due to credible death threats. In 2023, he published a book by the same name. Before his academic career, Bruce worked as a journalist in Hong Kong. This experience strongly influenced his views about colonialism. In 2021, we produced a series on my channel called, “Decolonize Explained” where Bruce debunks the myths around colonization. In this conversation, Bruce and I spoke about the Harvard plagiarism scandal, DEI, and the broader academic landscape. Then, we switched the topic to his book, “The Case For Colonialism.” We discussed the reality of colonialism and what history gets wrong, as well as what may have occurred absent colonialism. The conversation concludes with a discussion about what is next for Bruce’s career. More from Bruce:
