Postcolonialism and global justice

Abstract

This paper examines the rhetorical dimension of arguments about global justice. It draws on postcolonial theory, an approach that has explored the relationship between knowledge and power. The global justice literature has elaborated critiques of global inequality and advanced arguments about how to overcome the legacies of domination. These concerns are also shared by critics of colonialism, yet there are also epistemological differences that separate the two scholarly communities. Despite these differences, I argue that bringing the two literatures into conversation generates important benefits. Postcolonial theory draws attention to the way that abstract concepts can function as metaphors that have the unintended consequence of reinforcing power relations. Normative theory will be more effective at promoting global justice if it pays more attention to the politics of representation.

Keywords:

• metaphor
• postcolonialism
• global justice
• narrative
• development

Notes

Some exceptions include Edkins (1996), Jaggar (2005), Dallmayr (2003) and Tully (2009).

For example Risse argues, ‘The global order should be credited with advances over the historically normal state of misery …’ (2005b, 349–376).

For example, Martha Nussbaum suggests that the mechanisms for promoting global justice include ‘global economic policies, agencies and agreements, including the World Bank, the IMF, and various trade agreements’ and ‘multinational corporations, to which we shall assign certain responsibilities for promoting human capabilities for promoting human capabilities in the nations in which they do business’. Ironically, many of the institutions that are most responsible for exacerbating global inequalities are assigned the task of dismantling them (Nussbaum 2006, 314, see also Rao 2010, 53).

Nili explains that indigenous elites ‘use their augmented riches, power and brutality to further secure their control over a population kept in abject conditions’ (2011). Maurice Cranston argues that governments in Asia, Africa, and South America cannot be expected to provide social security because the people in those places ‘multiply so swiftly’ (Cranston 1983, 13).

For example, in his article Magnus Reitburger mentions ‘corrupt regimes’ (in poor countries) five times. He also emphasizes the culpability of ‘corrupt politicians in the Third World’ (2008, 381).

For an overview of dozens of disputes between Canadian mining companies and indigenous communities, see www.miningwatch.ca. Some recent conflicts include repression of protestors at the Marlin Mine in Guatemala (owned by the Canadian company Goldwatch); on Christmas Eve (2011) Indonesian police attacked citizens who were protesting against a mining concession given to the Australian company Arc Exploration. Thirty people were shot and three killed. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-04/indon-mining-protesters/3757390?section=business.