Lecture
SG – Colonialism
What are the dominant narratives underpinning colonialism and do they stand up to scrutiny?
About Colonialism
What is colonialism and what do we actually know about it? In this session we scrutinise the origins of colonialism, and the dominant narratives around it. Professor and Chair of Rural and Environmental History (WUR) Ewout Frankema looks at examples of domination, control and wealth extraction for empires around the globe from the 15th century up until the fault lines of the post- colonial period. He sheds light on some of the thorny contradictions in this material as he walks us through the historical records. In this, he will also revisit the relationship between colonialism and slavery. Who were the colonised? Who did the colonising? In what ways did European colonialism differ from other forms of colonialism? And what game changers triggered the post-colonial era?
About series ‘Reframing Colonialism’
When colonialism ground to a halt, did colonisation end? We explore this question by looking at what underpinned colonialism and the evolution of colonisation. To what extent is it part of our shared past, present and perhaps even futures?
About Ewout Frankema
Ewout Frankema is professor and chair of Rural and Environmental History at Wageningen University and research fellow of the UK Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). His research agenda focuses on a deeper understanding of the long-term comparative economic development of developing regions (Africa, Latin America, Asia) and the historical origins and nature of present-day global inequality. Frankema has studied History, Economics and Philosophy at the University of Groningen, where he obtained his PhD in Economics in 2008. He has taught a broad range of courses in history, economics and development studies at the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Wageningen University, and offered guest lectures at universities in Uruguay, Uganda, Benin, Spain, Sweden and the UK.