Vive la Difference!—Imperialism, Colonialism, Post Colonialism-Challenges to Cultural Plurality

Abstract

I use the term ‘imperialism’ here to refer to the attitudes and behaviour patterns of a culture that exercises hegemony of some kind or other on cultures different from itself The term colonialism could then be used to the situation of a culture that is dominated by another culture. One of these is identified in terms of assumed superiority which does not brook any questioning by the other, while the other is tacitly assumed to be the recipients of the so-called benefits of contact with the dominant culture.