decolonize
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To grant political independence to a former colony; to free a territory from colonial status and control.
- To reverse or undo the political, cultural, and economic structures of colonialism within a society.
Usage and Examples
- Verb:
- The nation worked to decolonize its education system by incorporating indigenous knowledge.
- After a long struggle, the region was finally decolonized.
- Scholars debate the best methods to decolonize museum collections.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Process-Oriented: Often describes an ongoing, complex process rather than a single event. It extends beyond political independence to include cultural, intellectual, and psychological dimensions.
- True liberation requires more than a flag change; it requires a sustained effort to decolonize the mind.
- Reflexive Use: Can be used reflexively to describe a society or institution reforming itself.
- The university is attempting to decolonize itself by revising its core curriculum.
Variants and Related Words
- Decolonization (n): The action or process of decolonizing.
- The mid-20th century was a major period of decolonization.
- Decolonial (adj): Relating to or advocating decolonization.
- She studies decolonial theories and practices.
Synonyms
- Liberate: To set free, especially from oppressive political control.
- Emancipate: To free from restraint, control, or the power of another.
Antonyms
- Colonize: To establish control over a people or area, especially by settling.
- Subjugate: To bring under domination or control, especially by conquest.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Post-colonial: Referring to the period after decolonization or the study of its effects.
- The post-colonial era brought new challenges for the independent state.
- Independence movement: A campaign by a group to achieve political independence, often leading to decolonization.
- The independence movement successfully pressured the empire to decolonize.
Verb
- grant independence to (a former colony)
- West Africa was decolonized in the early 1960's