Overview

Colonialism and neocolonialism are two significant historical phenomena that have shaped the world we live in today. Colonialism refers to the political and economic domination of one country over another, which began in the 15th century and continued until the mid-20th century. During this period, European countries colonized large parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and exploited their resources and labor for their own benefit. This led to the development of a global economic system that was characterized by unequal trade relations, poverty, and underdevelopment in the colonized countries. Today, the legacy of colonialism continues to affect the health and well-being of people in these countries.

Neocolonialism, on the other hand, refers to the continuation of colonial practices in the form of economic, political, and cultural domination of developed countries over developing countries. In the global health context, neocolonialism manifests itself in the form of unequal access to healthcare, unequal distribution of resources, and the imposition of western healthcare models on developing countries without regard to their cultural and social contexts. This has led to the neglect of traditional healing practices and the loss of indigenous knowledge systems, which are often more effective in addressing the health needs of local communities.

The relevance of colonialism and neocolonialism to the current global health context cannot be overstated. The unequal distribution of resources and the imposition of western healthcare models have led to a global health crisis characterized by high rates of disease and mortality in developing countries. To address this crisis, there is a need to acknowledge the historical and structural factors that have contributed to it, and to develop policies and programs that are grounded in the principles of social justice and equity. Only then can we begin to address the root causes of global health disparities and work towards a more just and equitable global health system.

Presentation

Please find the PowerPoint Presentation of the seminar below:

Study Resources

1. Pearson, J L. The Colonial Politics of Global Health: France and the United Nations in Postwar Africa. 1st edition (272 pages). Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674980488.

2. Greenwood, A. Beyond the State: The colonial medical service in British Africa. 1st edition (online edition). Manchester Scholarship Online. ISBN: 9781526104366.

3. Mitra, K. Global Health’s colonial roots & Lessons to learn from the Global South. Students for Global Health (SGH)

4. Bump JB, Aniebo I (2022) Colonialism, malaria, and the decolonization of global health. PLOS Global Public Health 2(9): e0000936. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000936

Quiz