“Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

“Rethinking Decolonization” by A. G. Hopkins, first appeared in Past and Present in August 2008, challenges conventional views on decolonization by extending the narrative beyond Asia and Africa to include the dominions of the British Empire, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Hopkins argues that formal independence alone did not signify the culmination of decolonization. Instead, he highlights the post-World War II transformation of these dominions, marked by symbolic and substantive shifts, including the adoption of distinct national flags, anthems, and policies, as pivotal to the broader process of empire dissolution. This work is critical to literature and literary theory as it redefines decolonization, urging a globalized perspective that incorporates cultural, political, and economic dimensions. It underscores the evolving identities and independence movements of settler colonies and their role in reshaping postcolonial studies, linking them to larger global dynamics of nationalism, human rights, and globalization.

Summary of “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

Theoretical Terms/Concepts in “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

Term/Concept	Definition/Explanation	Key References in Text
Decolonization	The process by which colonies achieve independence and redefine national identities, including ceremonial transitions like new flags and anthems.	Hopkins (2008, p. 211)
Dominions	Self-governing white settler colonies (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) that experienced delayed and distinct decolonization processes.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 212-214)
Britishness	A unifying cultural and ideological identity that dominated the imperial order, eroding in the dominions post-World War II as they adopted separate identities.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 236-237)
Civic Nationalism	A national identity based on shared civic values and multiculturalism rather than ethnicity or racial solidarity.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 236-237)
Imperial Globalization	A form of globalization during the empire that subordinated regions to a metropolitan center (Britain), integrating them hierarchically.	Hopkins (2008, p. 242)
Post-Colonial Globalization	A horizontal integration of global systems, emphasizing regional trade, human rights, and multicultural societies, replacing imperial hierarchies.	Hopkins (2008, p. 242)
Internal Decolonization	The process by which dominions addressed internal racial and indigenous inequalities, paralleling external decolonization in colonies.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 233-234)
Cultural Cringe	A term describing the dominions’ cultural deference to Britain, later challenged and replaced by local cultural production.	Hopkins (2008, p. 235)
Neo-Colonialism	The continuation of economic and cultural dominance by former colonial powers in newly independent states, often through informal means.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 241-244)
Human Rights	Universal principles of equality and dignity that challenged racial superiority and colonialism, playing a role in decolonization processes globally.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 234-235)
Economic Independence	The shift from imperial economic dependency to self-reliant, regional trade relationships in dominions post-1950s.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 237-239)
Imperial Patriotism	Loyalty and pride in the empire, which declined as dominions pursued independent national identities post-World War II.	Hopkins (2008, p. 228)
Ethnic Solidarity	The earlier imperial basis for identity, emphasizing racial and cultural homogeneity, replaced by multiculturalism in the dominions.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 236-237)
Assimilationist Policies	Policies aimed at integrating indigenous peoples into dominant colonial cultures, later abandoned in favor of recognizing indigenous rights.	Hopkins (2008, pp. 233-234)
Supranational Politics	Advocacy at international levels (e.g., UN) by indigenous and oppressed groups to gain recognition and rights, bypassing national governments.	Hopkins (2008, p. 234)

Contribution of “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins to Literary Theory/Theories

• Postcolonial Theory:
  • Redefinition of Decolonization: Challenges the traditional focus of postcolonial studies on colonies in Asia and Africa by incorporating the dominions as participants in decolonization, broadening the geographic and temporal scope of the theory (Hopkins, p. 211).
  • Cultural Identity Formation: Explores how dominions transitioned from a shared “Britishness” to distinct national identities, reflecting postcolonial themes of cultural autonomy and hybridity (Hopkins, p. 236).
  • Impact of Human Rights: Links the ideological underpinnings of postcolonialism with global human rights movements, demonstrating their role in dismantling racial hierarchies (Hopkins, pp. 233–235).
• Globalization and Cultural Studies:
  • Imperial vs. Postcolonial Globalization: Introduces the concept of “imperial globalization” as hierarchical and exploitative, contrasting it with “post-colonial globalization,” which fosters horizontal integration and multiculturalism (Hopkins, p. 242).
  • Decolonization as a Global Process: Frames decolonization as a response to globalization’s material and ideological shifts, challenging the Eurocentric narrative of globalization (Hopkins, p. 244).
• Historiographical Theory:
  • Revisionist Historiography: Revises traditional narratives of empire by treating the old dominions as integral to the decolonization process, advocating for a more inclusive historiographical approach (Hopkins, p. 212).
  • Interdisciplinary Insights: Bridges imperial history with sociology, political science, and cultural studies, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary frameworks in historical theory (Hopkins, pp. 240–242).
• Cultural Nationalism:
  • Formation of Civic Nationalism: Demonstrates how dominions transitioned from ethnic-based nationalism to civic-based nationalism, aligning with theories on the evolution of national identities (Hopkins, p. 237).
  • Repatriation of Culture: Highlights the shift from colonial cultural imports to the development of national cultural narratives, supporting theories of cultural decolonization (Hopkins, p. 236).
• Critical Race Theory:
  • Racial Hierarchies and Decolonization: Investigates the erosion of racial superiority as a pillar of empire, paralleling CRT’s focus on dismantling systemic racism (Hopkins, p. 234).
  • Indigenous Rights and Resistance: Documents the role of indigenous movements in challenging assimilationist policies, resonating with CRT’s emphasis on indigenous sovereignty and justice (Hopkins, pp. 233–234).
• Post-Imperial Theory:
  • Dominion Decolonization as Post-Imperial: Proposes a framework for studying the dominions as post-imperial rather than purely postcolonial spaces, offering a nuanced lens for examining late imperial formations (Hopkins, p. 228).
  • Internal Colonialism: Introduces the dominions’ internal colonization of indigenous peoples as an extension of imperial practices, enriching theories of settler colonialism (Hopkins, p. 233).

Examples of Critiques Through “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

Literary Work	Themes or Concepts Critiqued	Critique Through Hopkins’ Lens	Reference from Hopkins’ Article
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe	Colonialism and Indigenous Agency	Explores how Achebe’s depiction of the Igbo society’s cultural erosion parallels Hopkins’ argument about indigenous agency being integral to decolonization.	Indigenous movements as precursors to decolonization (p. 233).
“The Empire Writes Back” by Bill Ashcroft et al.	Postcolonial Reclamation of Language and Identity	Reframes postcolonial narratives by emphasizing the dominions’ struggle for cultural independence as equally significant to decolonization processes.	Cultural independence through national narratives (p. 236).
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad	Critique of Imperialism	Critiques Conrad’s portrayal of Africa as a site of European moral and physical degradation, contrasting it with dominions’ active resistance and transformation.	Evolution of identities within imperial hierarchies (p. 235).
“Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie	National Identity and Decolonization	Analyzes Rushdie’s allegory of India’s independence through Hopkins’ view of globalization’s role in reshaping post-imperial identities.	Post-colonial globalization as a transformative force (p. 242).

Criticism Against “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

• Overextension of Decolonization Framework
  Hopkins’ attempt to include settler dominions (e.g., Canada, Australia) in the narrative of decolonization has been critiqued as overly broad, potentially diluting the distinct processes and struggles experienced by non-settler colonies like those in Asia and Africa.
• Neglect of Economic Exploitation as a Central Theme
  Critics argue that Hopkins’ focus on cultural and symbolic shifts (flags, anthems) may downplay the enduring economic dependencies and exploitation that characterized colonial and post-colonial relationships.
• Insufficient Attention to Indigenous Experiences
  While Hopkins highlights the role of first nations in decolonization, critics note that his analysis may underrepresent the nuanced and region-specific challenges faced by indigenous populations in settler colonies.
• Limited Engagement with Non-Western Perspectives
  The work has been critiqued for primarily examining decolonization through the lens of British imperial policy and settler colonialism, marginalizing the agency and perspectives of colonized peoples in non-settler contexts.
• Simplification of Globalization’s Role
  Critics argue that Hopkins’ framing of post-colonial globalization as a key driver of decolonization oversimplifies the complex interplay of local, regional, and global forces, including resistance to Western economic models.
• Comparative Weakness in Assessing Cultural Imperialism
  Some scholars believe Hopkins underestimates the pervasive influence of British cultural imperialism in dominions and its long-lasting effects on national identity, even after formal independence.
• Reduction of African and Asian Decolonization to Case Studies
  Hopkins’ primary focus on dominions might lead to the critique that decolonization in Africa and Asia is relegated to a secondary status, despite these regions being central to anti-colonial struggles.

Representative Quotations from “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“The moment of decolonization is recorded by dates and signalled by ceremony: the guard, political as well as military, is changed; anthems are composed; flags are redesigned.”	Hopkins illustrates the symbolic nature of decolonization by emphasizing ceremonial aspects like flags and anthems. These serve as visible markers of independence but often obscure deeper continuities in economic and political dependencies.
“Canada’s national flag replaced the Union Jack in 1965 and a national anthem, ‘O Canada,’ was adopted in 1980.”	This emphasizes that even settler colonies like Canada, often considered independent earlier, underwent significant shifts in identity much later, challenging traditional timelines of decolonization.
“The term [dominion] was first applied in 1867 to describe the new Confederation of Canada… and was attached to Australia and New Zealand in 1907 and to South Africa in 1910.”	Hopkins critiques the concept of “dominion status” as an ambiguous compromise, highlighting how such terminologies created perceptions of autonomy while maintaining imperial subordination.
“Acquiring the ceremonial emblems of independence may have been, for them, merely a delayed tidying-up operation.”	This reflects the argument that settler dominions’ symbolic independence often occurred as part of a post-World War II reevaluation of imperial ties rather than as a direct response to anti-colonial movements.
“The impressive contributions made to the study of decolonization… have dealt almost exclusively with Africa and Asia.”	Hopkins criticizes existing scholarship for ignoring the decolonization of settler colonies, arguing that their exclusion creates an incomplete understanding of decolonization as a global phenomenon.
“Formal self-government did not confer full independence on the old settler colonies. It was only after the Second World War that they added substantially to the freedoms they had already achieved.”	This challenges the notion that dominions achieved independence early, arguing that true autonomy only came with cultural, economic, and political changes post-1945.
“The propagation and implementation of principles of human and civil rights undercut systems of domination based on claimed ethnic superiority.”	Hopkins highlights the role of global human rights discourses, which emerged after World War II, in undermining racial hierarchies and driving both decolonization and democratization.
“Imperial integration was vertical… Post-colonial integration was horizontal.”	This conceptual framework contrasts the hierarchical, dependency-based structures of empire with the egalitarian and multilateral relationships characteristic of post-colonial globalization.
“Post-war economic recovery was first assisted by established imperial relationships and then outgrew them.”	Hopkins explains that while imperial trade relationships initially supported recovery after World War II, they eventually became obsolete as new regional and global economic alignments emerged.
“Imperial systems are incompatible with the process of globalization as it has now unfolded.”	This statement encapsulates Hopkins’ argument that the rise of globalization fundamentally undermined the conditions that sustained imperial systems, leading to their eventual dissolution.

Suggested Readings: “Rethinking Decolonization” By A. G. Hopkins

1. Hopkins, A. G. “Rethinking Decolonization.” Past & Present, no. 200, 2008, pp. 211–47. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096724. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
2. Ward, Stuart. “THE EUROPEAN PROVENANCE OF DECOLONIZATION.” Past & Present, no. 230, 2016, pp. 227–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44014553. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
3. Thomas, Martin, and Andrew Thompson. “Empire and Globalisation: From ‘High Imperialism’ to Decolonisation.” The International History Review, vol. 36, no. 1, 2014, pp. 142–70. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24701312. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.