De-colonization Most of Latin America gained independence
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 colonizers 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 are able to explore their own aspirations for their future, consider their own structures of government and social order, which encompass and expresses their hopes.
So crucial is this process that it must be allowed to run its full course. If it is cut short by any action plan or program designed to create a remedy meeting the perception of de-colonization at a premature stage, the result can prove disastrous. I liken this process to the formation of a fetus in a mothers womb. That fetus must be allowed its time to develop and grow to its full potential. To attempt to rush the process, bringing baby out earlier than its natural time, could prove dangerous if not disastrous. (Laenui n.
p.)Given the vast variety of people, places and political circumstances, it is not believed that a single standard of de-colonization applies to every territory (Minton n.p.). There are many instances in which people who underwent de-colonization merely underwent a change in position of the colonizer. For example, the constitutions of the newly emerged Pacific island nations as well as African nations.
Do they reflect more closely the social and legal culture of the immediate preceding colonizer, which only works when the countries were under colonial rule? Are those documents truly reflective of the hopes and aspirations of the people previously colonized? True de-colonization is more than simply replacing indigenous or previously colonized people into the positions held by colonizers. De-colonization includes the reevaluation of the political, social, economic and judicial structures themselves, and the development, if appropriate, of new structures, which can hold and house the values and aspirations of the colonized people (Loi-Cadre n.p.). Methods and processes by which indigenous concerns and contributions can be incorporated into the overall study of the countrys sovereignty to ensure the continuing stability of the country. The people must be freely chosen through informed elections by the people to instill the spirit of cooperation, flexibility and goodwill (Minton n.p.
). They should have the opportunity to weigh the voices rather than be forced to be under a government that might have very short-sighted goals, measured generally by materialistic gains. They will be able to wade through the cult of personalities, family histories, and release themselves from colonial patriotism. They will now be ready for commitment to a single direction in which the society will move. This phase will culminate in people combining their voices in a clear statement of their desired direction. Over time, the commitment will become so clear that a formal process merely becomes a pro forma expression of the people’s will (Laenui n.
p.). It is very crucial for both the colonizers and the people colonized to confirm what each gets from de-colonization and what changes it would bring to both parties. This brings to light the burden of colonized countries have to bear in order to achieve the status of independence. De-colonization would only be inviting political and economic consequences, which the country may do better without. History Reports