Kris Manjapra's "Colonialism in a Global Perspective" (Book Note)

 

Kris Manjapra's "Colonialism in a Global Perspective" serves as a timely and impactful intervention that interconnects colonial history with its enduring and pervasive racist legacies. The primary goal of the book is to expand the scope of analysis in the field of colonial history by transcending conventional temporal and geographical divisions, such as nation versus region or medieval versus modern. Instead, the narrative incorporates linkages between various forms of colonial power that coexisted with empires and operated independently of them. The underlying theme of racial and colonial violence weaves together the narratives and sources presented in the book, enabling a nuanced exploration of colonialism's imperative to acquire, control, and dominate resources.

 

The book unfolds through an examination of three interconnected arguments. Firstly, it illuminates the concept of "racial capitalism" as a defining feature of colonialism across its diverse forms, spanning from the early colonization of the Americas by the Spanish to contemporary neocolonialism. Manjapra defines racial capitalism as the facet of colonialism that characterizes, divides, and governs subject populations based on attributed racial characteristics. In extreme instances, this intersection of racism and colonialism led to the obliteration of entire cultural and ethnic groups. Secondly, by delineating the major features of colonialism across expansive geographies and time periods, the author contends that racial capitalism lies at the core of what he terms the "new colonialism." This form of colonialism, shaped by racial capitalism, emerged in the 1400s and intensified from the eighteenth century onward, relying on racism as a crucial element in capitalist practices that favored the accumulation of wealth among elite groups at the expense of vulnerable populations. The new colonialism was characterized by the utilization of war and violence to enhance profitable endeavors, the segmentation of society and the economy based on racial lines, and moral deception across various levels.

 

Thirdly, "Colonialism in a Global Perspective" places special emphasis on the experiences and struggles of the colonized. According to Manjapra, a comprehensive history of colonialism must encompass a counter-history that narrates the endeavors of people to decolonize themselves. The author adopts the "parallax" approach, also known as the multiplied perspective, to examine the disciplinary, pedagogical, financial, spatial, and biopolitical dimensions of colonial power as contested by the colonized. The book presents the struggles of Indigenous, African, and Asian peoples and communities in a relational and comparative framework without sacrificing the distinctiveness of each. It challenges the conventional portrayal of colonized peoples as rational actors with absolute free choice, shedding light on historical evidence of both passive and violent resistance.

"Colonialism in a Global Perspective" unfolds through two main sections: part one delves into "interlocking colonial histories" through themes of war, settlement, plantation, and port, while part two, titled "Elementary Aspects of Colonial Power," explores colonial interventions in science, education, debt, space, and the body. Each chapter incorporates historical examples, discussions of ethnographic artifacts, and short narratives. Kris Manjapra employs a dual approach, blending historical narratives and sociological analysis. Source materials encompass archival documents, as well as artifacts like glyphs, photographs, drawings, and ethnographic objects, drawing from a diverse mix of secondary literatures covering colonial histories from the Americas, Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions. The book heavily relies on unconventional illustrations, including material objects, to underscore the impact and history of colonialism, such as artifacts from the Congo in the Royal Museum in Belgium that vividly depict the violence and racism inherent in the colonial process.

 

Given the comprehensive nature of "Colonialism in a Global Perspective," the initial chapters offer somewhat brisk and simplified summaries. The chapters on war and settlement trace the colonization history in the Americas, exploring the systematic displacement, eradication, and oppression of Native Americans in the process of expanding frontiers. The imposition of flawed agricultural policies by the colonial state resulted in ecological disruptions, and the codification and surveillance of the colonial population disrupted existing social structures. Manjapra highlights lesser-known attempts at assimilation, such as a petition-writing campaign by Native Americans in Natick, Massachusetts, to preserve their culture, language, and sovereignty after colonial displacement.

 

The discussion of racial slavery is particularly robust in the sections on plantations and ports, where Manjapra examines the exploitative conditions and various forms of physical and mental violence characterizing the lives of slaves and indentured laborers. Complementing this grim account, the author includes narratives about daily life, showcasing how laborers resisted and asserted their voices through songs, games, teachings, and stories.

Racism played a pivotal role in shaping colonial public health policies, rooted in assumptions of white superiority and a misguided "civilizing mission." The application of racist scientific knowledge resulted in the mishandling of disease outbreaks, leading to numerous preventable deaths. Kris Manjapra posits that racial capitalism, underpinned by two ideologies, has deeply influenced colonial societies. The first is "necropolitics," a concept by Achille Mbembe, encapsulating the colonial rulers' ability to manipulate health policies, effectively determining who would live and who would die. The second is "biopolitical management," a term coined by Michel Foucault, describing how colonial administrations exercised control over the health and well-being of the colonized.

 

Manjapra also delves into the economic legacy of colonialism, revealing how heavy taxation and revenue collection in the nineteenth century served the financial interests of colonizers, often at the expense of local economies. Post the Bretton Woods Conference of 1944, structural readjustment programs have significantly increased debt obligations in the Global South. Notably, racial colonialism endures in the economic development programs of both private and public international institutions.

 

The overarching message of Manjapra's book is that racism was deeply ingrained in colonialism, and the legacies of colonial practices persist into the contemporary era. Simultaneously, decolonization struggles have left their mark in popular mobilizations and progressive politics. Movements such as MeToo and Black Lives Matter exemplify the enduring impact of decolonization efforts. This insightful book prompts a reconsideration of the perceived success of colonialism in the face of sustained backlash and resistance. Employing a comparative approach to understand diverse imperial strategies, Manjapra argues that racial capitalism has evolved into a "new colonialism." Finally, the book critically examines how colonialism and racism continue to shape and propel grassroots movements in the present day.