Kwame Nkurmah’s text, Neocolonialism, argued that political independence for newly independent nation-states was not sufficient in securing sovereignty. He named this condition as “neo-colonialism”. Elaborate and discuss this argument in relation to his own work and the readings on the New International Economic order and Chile, as discussed in class (Ogle, Grandin).
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
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Title: Understanding Kwame Nkrumah’s Concept of Neocolonialism and its Implications on Sovereignty
Introduction
Kwame Nkrumah, a prominent figure in the fight against colonialism in Africa, introduced the concept of neocolonialism to highlight the continued influence of former colonial powers on newly independent nation-states. In his text “Neocolonialism”, Nkrumah argues that achieving political independence alone is insufficient for securing true sovereignty, as economic and social structures perpetuate colonial control in disguised forms. This essay aims to elaborate on Nkrumah’s concept of neocolonialism, drawing connections to the New International Economic Order and the case of Chile, as discussed in works by Ogle and Grandin. By examining Nkrumah’s arguments alongside contemporary analyses, this essay seeks to explore the complexities of post-colonial states’ struggles for genuine independence and sovereignty.
Kwame Nkrumah’s Concept of Neocolonialism
Kwame Nkrumah’s concept of neocolonialism stems from his belief that political independence alone does not guarantee true sovereignty for newly liberated nations. Nkrumah argues that while colonial powers may grant independence on the surface, they continue to exert control over these countries through economic, social, and cultural means. Neocolonialism, according to Nkrumah, represents a form of indirect rule where external forces maintain dominance through economic exploitation, unequal trade relationships, and manipulation of local elites.
Nkrumah’s perspective on neocolonialism resonates with the experiences of many post-colonial states that struggle to break free from the economic shackles imposed by former colonial powers. The legacy of colonialism, characterized by resource extraction, unequal trade agreements, and dependency on Western markets, continues to hinder the development and sovereignty of these nations. Nkrumah’s analysis underscores the need for structural changes beyond mere political independence to achieve genuine autonomy and self-determination.
Neocolonialism and the New International Economic Order
The concept of neocolonialism intersects with discussions surrounding the New International Economic Order (NIEO), a set of proposals put forward by developing countries in the 1970s to restructure the global economic system in favor of the Global South. The NIEO aimed to address economic disparities, promote fair trade practices, and empower post-colonial states to assert greater control over their resources and development agenda.
However, the NIEO faced significant opposition from Western powers and multinational corporations that benefited from the existing economic order. The reluctance of industrialized nations to embrace equitable trade practices and resource redistribution underscored the enduring influence of neocolonial structures that prioritize profit over development. Nkrumah’s critique of neocolonialism sheds light on the challenges faced by developing countries in their quest for economic justice and sovereignty within a global system shaped by historical inequalities.
Chile: A Case Study in Neocolonial Dynamics
The case of Chile under Salvador Allende’s presidency provides a compelling illustration of neocolonial dynamics at play in a post-colonial context. Allende’s socialist government sought to nationalize key industries, redistribute wealth, and challenge the dominance of foreign corporations in Chilean economy. However, these efforts were met with fierce opposition from domestic elites aligned with external interests, particularly the United States.
The US-backed coup that ousted Allende in 1973 and installed General Augusto Pinochet exemplifies how neocolonial forces can undermine sovereignty and democratic processes in post-colonial states. The intervention in Chile not only thwarted efforts towards economic independence but also perpetuated a neoliberal agenda that prioritized foreign interests over national sovereignty. Nkrumah’s warnings about the insidious nature of neocolonialism find resonance in Chile’s tragic history, where external interference derailed democratic aspirations and economic self-determination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kwame Nkrumah’s concept of neocolonialism offers a critical lens through which to analyze the enduring legacies of colonialism in post-independent nation-states. By highlighting the multifaceted ways in which former colonial powers maintain influence over economic and social structures, Nkrumah underscores the complexities of achieving true sovereignty in a globalized world. The intersections between neocolonialism, the New International Economic Order, and case studies like Chile reveal the ongoing struggles of post-colonial states to break free from historical dependencies and assert their autonomy. Nkrumah’s insights remain relevant today as we continue to grapple with issues of power, inequality, and self-determination in a rapidly changing global landscape.
