Talk:colonialism
So I don't believe that "the European powers" are the only ones to have imposed colonialist systems on other people; I think, rather, that the term "colonialism" is most often used in reference to the European colonization of the 1700 to 1900's, but the word itself does not mean any particular instance of colonialism. In fact, I think I've heard the term used just as much to refer to the institution of United States policy (the most common instance being that of its past and present actions/policies towards Native American communities).
The Oxford English Dictionary has the following definitions of colonialism:
"1. a. The practice or manner of things colonial.
b. A practice or idiom peculiar to or characteristic of a colony. (Cf. provincialism.)
2. The colonial system or principle. Now freq. used in the derogatory sense of an alleged policy of exploitation of backward or weak peoples by a large power. 1886 DICEY Eng. Case agst. Home Rule (ed. 2) 273 English Colonialism works well enough. 1889 Standard 20 May 3/1 There are three competing influences at work in South Africa..Colonialism, Republicanism, and Imperialism. 1949 Economist 28 May 970/1 The old unreasoning dislike of anything that looks like ‘colonialism’ persists [in the United States]. 1952 Ibid. 19 July 172/2 It is on that basis that they explain American support..of France in North Africa{em}to them a straight case of colonialism. 1956 Time 9 Jan. 24/2 Krushchev made clear what he meant by U.S. ‘colonialism’. ‘The colonialists give a dollar as “aid” in order to get subsequently ten dollars in return by exploiting the peoples who accept such aid.’ 1957 Listener 1 Aug. 159/1 ‘Colonialism’ is the commonest term of abuse nowadays throughout more than half the world."
Granted, I would contest the phrase "backward or weak peoples," but that might be an attempt to sum up the attitude of colonialists as perceived by those for whom the term is derogatory. I think I would rather say "the policy of exploitation of peoples militarily, politically, or economically dominated by a larger power."
I suggest tweaking the definition to say "most often used in reference to the colonial practices of many European countries between..." DevinMcGevin 07:55, 28 April 2006 (UTC)