De-Colonization Abandonment Essays - Cultural Geography

De-Colonization: Abandonment De-colonization began with the British colonists in the United States who declared independence in 1776. Most of Latin America gained independence a few decades later. De-colonization continued through the mid-1970s, mostly in Asia and Africa, until almost no European colonies remained. Most of the newly independent states have faced tremendous challenges and difficulties in the post-colonial era. The stability and harmony of de-colonized countries are not guaranteed once the countries are left to the hands of indigenous people. Colonies were flourishing under the colonial administrative government which creates bureaucratic, legislative and educative filters that guarantees indigenous interest. Through law, politics, policy and culture brought by colonizers, the indigenous reproduce themselves while legitimizing and rectifying their origins. Along with an adequate and appropriate government system, both colonial and indigenous realities can contribute to the future shape and nature of the nation state. Economic investment by the administrating power directly benefits the inhabitants of a given region (Guarini n.p.). Suitable structures in the field of credit and savings have been set up successfully in colonies and this has managed to organize and support the production of goods necessary to the economic equilibrium of the region. By meeting the demands of the people, a higher standard of living is achieved. All citizens benefit from security arrangements when the territories host colonial security forces (Plunkett n.p.). It is guaranteed that the colony will be protected by the armed forces available if there ever is a case of war. This is possible as every state has a right and obligation to defend its colonies (Cunningham n.p.). The people of a majority of the territories no longer view, if they ever did, the activities of foreign economic interest or the presence of military installations on their territory as detrimental to their interest (Minton n.p.). Colonization powers help to promote economic development and social progress that facilitates economic and financial cooperation at an international level (Loi-Cadre n.p.). For example, the French Government had carried out reforms and taken measures to ensure the development of the territories under its jurisdiction. Modern methods of rural development were inaugurated and cadastral plans were established in which the customary rights of the autochthones were respected. Most importantly, education was generalized and standardized. De-colonization causes the people to build a nation with no background on how to govern a nation and this may lead to many political differences. Many countries face the threat of rushing it. Once the thought of a sovereign country ?catches on? as one of the foremost political issues of the day, many will demand immediate action, with belief that reflection and introspection are not worth the time and effort in the development of a new social order. Colonization powers make all useful arrangements to ensure on a permanent basis, that there is a coordination of economic and financial matters (Petersen n.p.). Raising the consciousness of indigenous people that the state in which they live in is the best and most effective way towards achieving sustainable development in the country (Green n.p.). A successful strategy is to expose the people to the positive contribution brought into the country by colonizers. The role and powers of administration and management of the general government can be modified to facilitate the access of native born civil servants. This provides experiences that instill a sense of purpose by involving the people and would help eliminate doubt in the colonizer's capability in governing the nation. If indigenous people had not undergone the influence of colonialism, they would not the exact same societies as those that existed at the time of initial contact. It is at this point that the indigenous person must learn to exist within a colonial environment in a de-colonized manner. Thus, it would be a fallacy to believe that colonized people is capable to lead the country by utilizing traditional philosophies and practices after de-colonization (Guarini n.p.). It would not be suitable and may cause differences and conflicts pertaining to how the country should be governed. Colonies should be put through a process of de-colonization whereby the nation is de-colonized in stages, which would enable the people to govern their own nation effectively and efficiently. It is during this phase where people colonized