[University Essay: Decolonisation] How far did decolonisation alter the power hierarchy?

[u/AssociationWeird3996]

Exploring this question. It obviously did change the power hierarchy as it resulted in the formation of newly independent states, some of which have gained prominence and economic power e.g India.

It also allowed the 'Global South' to enter the sphere, and develop economically.

However, you could argue that decolonisation, did not significantly change the power hierarchy as may western nations and formally colonial powers, interfere with the democracy of previously colonized states, and implement an 'informal colony', thus keeping the power hierarchy.

Other forms of control like tied aid, trading negotiations, threat of tariffs etc also keep these less powerful countries at the will of other more powerful nations.

So, I was wondering if anyone had anymore ideas/points I haven't considered, or any readings/articles that could be of use ?

Thank you :)

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[u/gh954]

How are you defining decolonisation? Because I think it's very difficult to look at how far it affected the global power structure when it's barely been achieved - like, sure, the British Empire and the French colonial empire massively collapsed in leaps and bounds post-WW2, but, that also led to the rise of the current US Empire with NATO as it's proxy.

So whilst some nations have gained a greater amount of independence, we also have the US destroying many a country in various ways (Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria recently) and trying to coup leaders (e.g. Maduro in Venezuela) or successfully couping leaders (like the 2014 Maidan coup in Ukraine).

Something you may want to focus on in terms of economic limitations is dollar hegemony and sanctions. Until recently, with the rise of the BRICS trading entity (as it were), global trade in general was backed by the US dollar, so countries that were under US sanctions were greatly inhibited in terms of flourishing economically, such as Iran, Syria, Cuba, the DPRK. That's a tool of imperialism and trying to maintain status as the global hegemon, right, putting as much pressure as you can on countries which aren't doing what you want, but it isn't old-school colonialism, it's colonialism through soft power instead.

[u/AssociationWeird3996 → u/gh954]

Exactly thats what I wnated to highlight, so I'm first going to explore how 'legal' and more formal colonialism e.g collapse of British and French empire have altered the power hierarchy = more generally, given power to previously colonised states.

Then in the next point Im going to explore the US and how other western nations, still informally colonsie these countries e.g Chile, Pakistan, Syria, through other means of power.

So I think I'll have to have a very carefully ordered intro to explore both, the more traditional and than the informal colonialism.

How also is the best way to explore the 'decolonisation of the mind', in referral to ideas and policies that have been implemented by empire to benefit the empire, that still stand today e.g our economic systems.? or what other points can I add to that?